Status
Local, mainly coastal on damp grassland, marshes, boggy heath and dunes.
Difficult to distinguish from the more common Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet (Z. lonicerae) and extremely difficult to identify as adults either in the field or under the microscope.
The population itself should be studied with foodplant and flight times noted if possible. It should then be apparent as to the identity of the population. Even then more than one species may be present so extra care should be taken.
Z. trifolii usually shows median pairs of spots merged, apex of wing more rounded than seen in lonicerae with black terminal band usually broader. Yellow spotted forms are rare.
Restricted to a hand full of locations. Surveys taken in the County have only found colonies of Five-spot (trifolii) at the Broads and Coastal sites, notably Horsey area. All other inland colonies turned out to be Narrow-bordered (lonicerae)
Best recorded as larvae where the comparatively short hairs on the caterpillars are characteristic.
Please record as the aggregate if unsure.
Verification Grade Comment: Difficult to identify as adults either in the field or under the microscope  | Determination by Genitalia Examination Required | |
Recorded in 25 (34%) of 74 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1834.
Last Recorded in 2023. |