Species account

Timiankøllesværmer (Zygaena purpuralis)    Brünnich (1763)
   Køllesværmere (Zygaenidae)    TRBU    25392
Transparent Burnet (gb)   Timjanbastardsvärmare (se)  
Subspecies
purpuralis
austronubigena
Verity (1946).
caledonensis
Reiss (1931) - Hebridean islands of Skye, Lismore, Kerrera, Mull, Ulva, Eigg, Canna, and Rùm and in a few localities on the Scottish mainland in Kintyre and parts of western Argyllshire.
dojranica
Burgeff (1926).
fiorii
Costantini (1916).
isarca
Verity (1922).
lathyri
Boisduval (1828).
magnalpina
Verity (1922).
Measurements:
WS:30-35mm
Generations:
1
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
SE
Identification:
The species is inseparable from Blood Droplet Burnet in the field, only identifiable reliably by checking the genitals. And this is the only burnet in Denmark it could be confused with, both of them having 3 elongated red spots on the forewing. The distal and lateral one showing a distinct femur-head shape distally.
Similar species:
Life stages:
Distribution:
Habitat:
Sunny and dry meadows on sandy soil or heath-like. Preferably near the coast.
Behavior:
Often gathers in the afternoon in larger flocks around a single female.
Status:
Very restricted in Denmark, but due to conservation efforts the population appears to be staple.
Host plants:
Smalbladet Timian (Thymus serpyllum) [Wild Thyme ~ Serpol ~ Backtimjan]
Bredbladet Timian (Thymus pulegioides) [Broad-leaved Thyme ~ Stortimjan]
Feeding plants:
Blåhat (Knautia arvensis) [Field Scabious ~ Escabiosa ~ Åkervädd]
Orchids sp.
Comment:
Transparent Burnet 868    (1 photos)
2022-07-03    Høvblege (Møn), Denmark

Imago
At this site unmistakable.



Transparent Burnet 869    (1 photos)
2022-07-03    Høvblege (Møn), Denmark

Imago
The lower one. With Six-spot Burnet.



Transparent Burnet 870    (1 photos)
2022-07-03    Høvblege (Møn), Denmark

Imago
Three animals. I'm still puzzled why it is not sex-related that some are strongly colored and others not.



Transparent Burnet 871    (1 photos)
2022-07-03    Høvblege (Møn), Denmark

Imago
Comparing these two, without knowing better I would have guessed they belonged to two different species. Color wise, but also the completely different shape of the wings, make them look unique.



Transparent Burnet 882    (4 photos)
2022-07-03    Høvblege (Møn), Denmark

Imago