More N-b. Five-spot Burnet Moths Zygaena lonicerae (latomarginata)

Bumblebee-bodied Burnet Moth
Bee-bodied Burnet moth
One of these mating Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet Moths has a yellow and black-banded body like a bumblebee mimic. Usually the segments look all black, often with iridescent blue-green stripes. Since they are not by a cocoon, I can only assume that her body is so full of eggs that it has expanded; - not seen the yellow stripes before.
5-spot burnet moths on cocoon
5-spot burnet moths on cocoon
Male Burnet moths continue to seek female partners newly-emerged from cocoons.
5-spot burnet moth showing spots and narrow borders
The spots and narrow border
5-spot burnet moth on knapweed
Burnet on knapweed
5-spot burnet moth cocoons on hawthorn
Burnet moth cocoon on hawthorn
Where the council cuts the grass too short, the Burnet caterpillar has to improvise, using a hawthorn stem instead of grass blade.
Faded 5-spot burnet moths on knapweed Even when faded and aged, the males still want to mate
Faded burnet moths mating Even while she is eating her dinner
Three's a crowd - with claspers Three's a crowd (see claspers on end of male)