Zygaena loti (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)


Zygaena loti: Male (Heidenheim, eastern Swabian Alb, southern Germany, late June 2009) [N] Zygaena loti: Male (Heidenheim, eastern Swabian Alb, southern Germany, late June 2009) [N] Zygaena loti: Male (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, early July 2023) Zygaena loti: Male (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, early July 2023) Zygaena loti: Male (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, early July 2023) Zygaena loti: Male (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, early July 2023) Zygaena loti: Male (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, early July 2023) Zygaena loti: Male (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, early July 2023) Zygaena loti: Male (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, late June 2009) [N] Zygaena loti: Male (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, late June 2009) [N] Zygaena loti: Male (Heidenheim, eastern Swabian Alb, southern Germany, late June 2009) [N] Zygaena loti: Female (Heidenheim, eastern Swabian Alb, southern Germany, late June 2009) [N] Zygaena loti: Female (Heidenheim, eastern Swabian Alb, southern Germany, late June 2009) [N] Zygaena loti: Female (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, early July 2023) Zygaena loti: Female (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, early July 2023) [N] Zygaena loti: Female (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, early July 2023) [N] Zygaena loti: Female (N-Greece, Mountain Vitsi near Kastoria, 30. June 2013) [N] Zygaena loti: Males (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, late June 2022) [N] Zygaena loti: Males (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, late June 2022) [N] Zygaena loti: Males (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, late June 2022) [N] Zygaena loti: Copulation (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, late June 2022) [N] Zygaena loti: Copulation (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, late June 2022) [N] Zygaena loti: Copulation (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, late June 2022) [N] Zygaena loti: Copulation (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, early July 2022) [N] Zygaena loti: Copulation (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, early July 2022) [N] Zygaena loti: Copulation (Hungary, Veszprem, late July 2020) [N] Zygaena loti: Mating (Heidenheim, eastern Swabian Alb, southern Germany, late June 2009) [N] Zygaena loti: Mating (Heidenheim, eastern Swabian Alb, southern Germany, late June 2009) [N] Zygaena loti: Mating (Heidenheim, eastern Swabian Alb, southern Germany, late June 2009) [N] Zygaena loti: Parking station on Echium vulgare [N] Zygaena loti: Eggs (Hungary, Veszprem, late July 2020) [S] Zygaena loti: Eggs (Hungary, Veszprem, late July 2020) [S] Zygaena loti: Eggs (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Eggs (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Eggs (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Empty egg shells, partly eaten by L1 larvae (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larvae L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larvae L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larvae L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larvae L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L2 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L2 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L2 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L2 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L2 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L2 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L3 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L3 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L3 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L3 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva L3 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the diapause skin of the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the diapause skin of the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the diapause skin of the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the diapause skin of the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the diapause skin of the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the diapause skin of the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva still in the diapause skin after the first hibernation shortly before the next moult (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva still in the diapause skin after the first hibernation shortly before the next moult (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva after the moult out of the diapause skin (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the first postdiapause skin after the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the first postdiapause skin after the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the first postdiapause skin after the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the first postdiapause skin after the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the first postdiapause skin after the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the first postdiapause skin after the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the first postdiapause skin after the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the first postdiapause skin after the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the first postdiapause skin after the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the diapause skin of a second hibernation. Many larvae, however, develop to imago without a second hibernation. (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the second postdiapause skin resp. penultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the second postdiapause skin resp. penultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the penultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the penultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the penultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the penultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the penultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the penultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the penultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the penultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the ultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the ultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the ultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the ultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the ultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the ultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the ultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva in the ultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva (N-Italy, South Tyrol, Taufers, 06. April 2017) Zygaena loti: Larva (N-Italy, South Tyrol, Taufers, 06. April 2017) Zygaena loti: Larva (N-Italy, South Tyrol, Taufers, 20. April 2017) Zygaena loti: Larva (N-Italy, South Tyrol, Taufers, 20. April 2017) Zygaena loti: Larva (Heidenheim, eastern Swabian Alb, southern Germany, May 2009) [M] Zygaena loti: Larva (Heidenheim, eastern Swabian Alb, southern Germany, May 2009) [M] Zygaena loti: Larva in the ultimate instar (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Larva from the subalpine zone. In this altitude the larvae are often darker (Switzerland, Valais, 2100m, 30. May 2009) [N] Zygaena loti: Yellowish larva (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim) Zygaena loti: Cocoon (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Cocoon (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Cocoon (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Cocoon (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Pupa (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Pupa (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Cocoon [S] Zygaena loti: Cocoon with empty pupal skin (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, oviposition late June 2022) [S] Zygaena loti: Habitat with Onobrychis and Hippocrepis: nutrient-poor grassland on the eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany [N] Zygaena loti: Habitat with Securigera varia in a limestone grassland (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, late June 2022) [N] Zygaena loti: Habitat with Securigera varia in a limestone grassland (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, late June 2022) [N] Zygaena loti: Habitat (N-Greece, Mountain Vitsi near Kastoria, late June 2013) [N] Zygaena loti: Habitat in the Swiss Valais (Zeneggen, late May 2023) [N]

Host plants:
The caterpillars live on Fabaceae, especially Hippocrepis comosa, Coronilla varia and Onobrychis viciifolia. The natural use of Lotus sp. is likely, but not certain, since I never observed caterpillars on it and found the spread of the moth covering with the three host plants in the biotopes (on the eastern Swabian Alb in Germany).

Habitat:
Zygaena loti colonizes limestone grasslands of all kinds from the lowlands to high mountains. One focus is on dry, warm and slightly higher growing, less grazed areas.

Life cycle:
Zygaena loti is in many regions a very early Burnet. The caterpillars moult out of hibernation dormancy in late February or early March (such as on 23.02.2008 in the Swabian Alb) and are mature in May and early June. They generally hide well concealed in the moss layer at daytime, where they also construct their cocoons (similar to Zygaena fausta, Z. minos, Z. purpuralis and mostly also Z. carniolica). Adults are on the wing between early June and early August. Some single, delayed, fresh individuals may occasionally occur also later. Zygaena loti generally occurs in somewhat lower densities than it is the case with e.g. Zygaena carniolica.

Endangerment: regionally endangered or decreasing

Endangerment factors:
Zygaena loti is still relatively little endangered, but it is in decline in many regions outside the mountains due to habitat loss. Particularly in the Jura and the Alps and together with Zygaena filipendulae, Zygaena loti still belongs to the commonest burnets in the summer aspect of calcareous grasslands.

Remarks:
The distribution ranges from the Iberian Peninsula (local and only in the north) across central and southern Europe to Siberia. In the north (Scandinavia) Zygaena loti is missing, but it has apparently an isolated occurrence in Scotland.



Zygaena alluaudi | Zygaena angelicae | Zygaena anthyllidis | Zygaena brizae | Zygaena carniolica | Zygaena contaminei | Zygaena corsica | Zygaena cynarae | Zygaena diaphana | Zygaena ephialtes | Zygaena erythrus | Zygaena exulans | Zygaena fausta | Zygaena filipendulae | Zygaena hilaris | Zygaena ignifera | Zygaena johannae | Zygaena laeta | Zygaena lavandulae | Zygaena lonicerae | Zygaena minos | Zygaena nevadensis | Zygaena occitanica | Zygaena orana | Zygaena osterodensis | Zygaena oxytropis | Zygaena punctum | Zygaena purpuralis | Zygaena rhadamanthus | Zygaena romeo | Zygaena rubicundus | Zygaena sarpedon | Zygaena sedi | Zygaena transalpina | Zygaena trifolii | Zygaena viciae