Zygaenidae

Zygaenidae is a family of moths commonly known as burnet moths and forester moths. Unlike most moths, many species are active by day or in bright light, and they often exhibit striking metallic or iridescent wings with conspicuous red, orange, or yellow markings. This aposematic coloration signals their chemical defenses to predators. The family contains roughly 1,000 described species, distributed worldwide with greatest diversity in the Palearctic and Afrotropical regions.

Taxonomy and classification: Zygaenidae belongs to the order Lepidoptera and the superfamily Zygaenoidea. It is divided into two main subfamilies, Zygaeninae (burnet moths) and Procridinae (forester moths), which differ in adult behavior and larval food preferences.

Description and biology: Adults are often slender with narrow wings that rest rooflike over the body. Many species have metallic scales that produce a green or blue sheen, while others are predominantly black with red or yellow spots. Most Zygaenidae are diurnal or crepuscular; a nectar feeding habit is common among adults.

Ecology and life cycle: Eggs are laid on host plants, from which larvae feed when they hatch. Larvae are typically herbivorous and may be spiny or hairy. Pupation occurs in a silken cocoon. The life cycle completes in one or two years for many species, depending on climate and food availability.

Defense and host plants: Most species produce hydrogen cyanide or related compounds, either synthesized by the insect or sequestered from host plants, and the vivid coloration serves as a warning to predators. Host plants vary by species but larvae commonly feed on herbaceous flowering plants, with many specialists on Fabaceae and related groups.

Distribution and conservation: Zygaenidae occurs in many regions of the world, from temperate to tropical zones. Some species are of conservation concern due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and pesticide exposure. Protected meadows, hedgerows, and nectar-rich habitats support populations of many burnet and forester moths.