The only British burnet moth with six red spots on each forewing, although care must be taken with identification, as in some cases the outermost spots can be fused. Rarely the red colour is replaced by yellow.

Flies with a usually slow buzzing flight during sunshine and is attracted to a range of flowers including thistles, knapweeds and scabious.

Size and Family

  • Family – Burnets and Foresters (Zygaenids)
  • Medium Sized 

Conservation status

  • UK BAP: Not listed
  • Common

Particular Caterpillar Food Plants

Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil, but also occasionally on Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil.

Habitat

Frequents flowery grasslands, including downland, cliff-edges, woodland rides, roadside verges and sand-dunes.

Distribution

  • Countries – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland
  • The commonest and most widely distributed burnet moth in the UK. Well distributed in England, Wales and Ireland, becoming more coastal in Scotland and found on the Outer Hebrides. Also found on the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
 

Factsheets

Six-spot Burnet - Bob Eade

Six-spot Burnet

Six-spot Burnet - Iain Leach

Six-spot Burnet

Six-spot Burnet - Patrick Clement

Six-spot Burnet

Six-spot Burnet - Steve Mackay

Six-spot Burnet

Six-spot Burnet - Iain Leach

Six-spot Burnet

Six-spot Burnet - Koen Thonissen

Six-spot Burnet

Six-spot Burnet - Koen Thonissen

Six-spot Burnet

Six-spot Burnet - Ivan Lynas

Six-spot Burnet

Six-spot Burnet and cocoon - Bob Eade

Six-spot Burnet and cocoon

Six-spot Burnet (caterpillar) - Rachel Scopes

Six-spot Burnet (caterpillar)