Information

This worldwide family of some 1000 species of small to medium sized moths is one of the most distinctive groups of all. Most are day flying and many are brightly coloured, indicating that they are poisonous. The bright colours are a warning to predators, that the moths are distasteful - they contain hydrogen cyanide throughout all stages of their life-cycle. Unlike most insects with such toxins, they manufacture these themselves rather than obtaining them from host plants.

Several of the predominantly red species of the genus Zygaena that occur in Europe are known as burnets, while green species of genus Adacita are known as foresters. Most Zygaenid moths have well developed tongues, and the antennae are usually thickened towards the tips. While most have normally developed wings, the hindwings of the one group, has wings that are slender filaments.

The majority of Zygaenids are tropical, but they are nevertheless quite well represented in temperate regions. Various species are commonly known as Burnet or Forester moths, often qualified by the number of spots, although other families also have 'foresters'. They are also sometimes called Smoky moths.

The slender caterpillars are stout and slug-like. Most feed on herbaceous plants, although some are vine or tree feeders. A fleshy extension of the thorax covers the head.

Subfamilies in this Superfamily

Callizygaeninae, Chalcosiinae, Phaudinae, Procridinae, Zygaeninae

List of Species We Have Photos and Information On

(c) David McCormick 2008