Scotch Burnet

Sometimes referred to as the Mountain Burnet, the forewings of this moth are thinly-scaled with five distinct, though sometimes very small, red spots. Its montane habitat and hairy body help to distinguish this moth.

Active in sunshine with a low, erratic buzzing flight, but will hide amongst vegetation during bad weather. Attracted to flowers, particularly Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil, but also Mountain Everlasting and others.

Size and Family

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

Conservation status

• UK BAP: Not listed
• Rare (Red Data Book category 3)

Caterpillar Food Plants

Crowberry, eating the terminal shoots and unripe berries. Also Cowberry, Bilberry and Heather.

Habitat

Distribution

• Countries – Scotland
• Occurs in the UK as an endemic subspecies, subochracea, which is restricted to the eastern Cairngorms near Braemar, Aberdeenshire where it can be common.