Flight-period Central Europe: from Mid June to Mid August

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Imago

Conservation Status in Austria: Endangered (EN)

  NE DD LC NT VU EN CR RE EX
Austria

English:
German:Veränderliches Rotwidderchen
Danish:
Date:08/07/2017
Location:Austria, Wien, Kalksburg
 
Copyright:Per Hoffmann Olsen
Camera:Canon EOS 50D
Lens:Sigma 150mm APO Macro
 

Most of the spots are white, but the first two to four are red or orange. A clearly red or orange ring on the abdomen. Hindwings are dark with 1 white spot.

The Amata phegea is mimicking the Z. ephialtes. If you compare these two species you can immediately see that they are different. The Z. ephialtes is very variable, this is the yellow/white form which is very similar to A. phegea. The one hanging upside-down is the orange/red form.

The mimicry is for an obvious reason - Z. ephialtes is poisonous.

 

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