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Six spot Burnet moth, Zygaena filipendulae

I used to see a lot of these when we lived in Norway. A few of them were flitting about behind the dune slacks at the Horsey gap. This type of area is the preferred environment for these insects.

Auf Jakobs-Kreuzkraut (Senecio jacobaea). Die Pflanze enthält giftige Alkaloide und ist bei Farmern sehr unbeliebt, weil sie Rindern gefährlich werden kann, wenn die diese Pflanze fressen. Zyganea nimmt dieses Gift bereits im Raupenstadium auf und ist so, auch noch als Schmetterling, vor Fressfeinden geschützt. Super Foto!
--- Translated by DeepL ---

Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is a plant that contains poisonous alkaloids and is very unpopular with farmers because it can be dangerous to cattle if they eat it. Zyganea already absorbs this poison in the caterpillar stage and is thus protected from predators, even as a butterfly. great photo!

Information - thanks goes to Karl
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17 comments

Nick Weall said:

Sharp ~ makes a good picture
6 months ago

Günter Klaus said:

Wunderschön hebt sich dieser Falter ab liebe Amelia :))

Wünsche noch einen schönen Tag,liebe Grüße Güni :))
6 months ago ( translate )

William Sutherland said:

Awesome shot!
6 months ago

Ed Synchro said:

I've not seen these moths before. Very striking, especially against the yellow flowers. Nicely photographed.
6 months ago

FarbFormFreude said:

great with the blurred background
6 months ago

Xata said:

And a great photo !
6 months ago

John FitzGerald said:

A stunning shot.
6 months ago

Patrick Brandy said:

Beau papillon qui va très bien avec ses fleurs jaunes agréable journée.
6 months ago ( translate )

Karl Hartwig Schütz said:

Auf Jakobs-Kreuzkraut (Senecio jacobaea). Die Pflanze enthält giftige Alkaloide und ist bei Farmern sehr unbeliebt, weil sie Rindern gefährlich werden kann, wenn die diese Pflanze fressen. Zyganea nimmt dieses Gift bereits im Raupenstadium auf und ist so, auch noch als Schmetterling, vor Fressfeinden geschützt. Super Foto!
6 months ago ( translate )

Amelia replied to Karl Hartwig Schütz:

I know that ragwort is poisonous and it used to be on the list that had to be reported to the Ministry. I see lots of it now, and people don't seem to care. I didn't know about the fact that this moth, in the caterpillar stage, absorbs the poisons. Thank you for this very interesting info, Karl.
6 months ago

Keith Burton said:

Such a beautiful moth.......I love the contrast of the red spots on the dark wings............and it stands out very well on the yellow of the Ragwort flowers.

A splendid shot Amelia!
6 months ago

Ernst Doro said:

Ich kenn diesen hübschen kleinen Falter als Blutströpfchen.
6 months ago ( translate )

Annemarie said:

most beautiful Amelia
6 months ago ( translate )

Ulrich John said:

Fine Makro, Amelia !
6 months ago ( translate )

Gudrun said:

These colourful moths are fascianting- and I also have learned something new:-)
6 months ago