xmas quiz question ....

[Nick Greatorex-Davies]

Rob Stone wrote:

> Q: Which moths contain cyanide ?
> 
> im not sure that the answer is a actually a moth but 
> you peeps would know if it was
> 
> Cheers
> 
> -- Rob.

Neil Jones replied:

>If you're looking for a British example there is the Burnet moth.
>It flies during the daytime.
 

I was once informed that Burnet moths (members of the Zygaenidae), and notably those species that feed on Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) contained enough cyanide in half of one full-fed caterpillar to kill a grown man. Species include Six-spot Burnet (Zygaena filipendulae) and  Five-spot Burnet (Z. trifolii). I would be interested to hear if anyone has additional or confirmatory information.

Nick Greatorex-Davies
ITE Monks Wood
n.greatorex-davies at ite.ac.uk