Six Spot Burnet

ADULT: Wingspan 30-40mm. The dark metallic green forewings have 6 bright red spots which can be variable. The spots may even be yellow or completely black. The hindwings are red with a black fringe. The antennae are thickened towards the end. CHRYSALIS: Found in a yellowish papery cocoon attached to grass. LARVA: Dumpy and pale green with 2 rows of black spots along the back. Overwinters in this stage. The foodplant is mainly birds-foot trefoil. The trefoil contains small traces of cyanide which the larva ingests and so has an unpleasant taste which is carried through to adulthood. BEHAVIOUR: Day flying. HABITAT: Ubiquitous especially coastal. FLIGHT PERIOD: June to August. STATUS: Common throughout.