Burnet Moth

[JIMCOBB49]

I photographed this rather faded Burnet moth today at Arbroath in Scotland.It looks like 5-spot,which are not supposed to live in Scotland-is it 5-spot?Any help appreciated Jim

[bugboy]

There is an outside chance it's a Scotch Burnet Zygaena exulans which is found in the eastern Cairngorms and has thinly scaled forewings so it looks quite aged when new. It is an upland species but this could be a windblown specimen.

The northern race of the Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet Z. lonicerae latomarginata is found in the Scottish borders and perhaps that is in the process of range expansion like some butterflies.

The spotting pattern look more like the latter but I'm no expert on these.

[JIMCOBB49]

Thanks Bugboy,food for thought