Description: Wingspan 30-46. Adults closely resemble the Six-spot Burnet in appearance but differ in the number of spots on the forewings, which are slightly longer and narrower. There is a stronger bluish tinge to the forewings and the antennae are slightly longer. End of May to late July.

Irish Distribution: Widely distributed inland, especially in north Armagh where there are well-established colonies. More localised in other counties especially in the north and west.

Ecology: Unlike the Six-spot Burnet this species has a preference for inland sites particularly roadside verges, fens, damp meadows and marshy areas, but it has been recorded in a few coastal localities. It is never seen as commonly or abundantly as the Six-spot Burnet. The larvae feed on bird's foot trefoil, vetch and clovers. It over-winters twice in the larval stage.

Distribution Map from NBN: Zygaena lonicerae at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Zygaena lonicerae at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.