Local on grassland and heathland, and by freshwater margins, throughout much of south-western England and Wales. In Hampshire lost from many localities, but still present on Martin Down, and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 24-37 mm. Day-flying. Very difficult to distinguish from the much more widespread
Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Z. lonicerae, even using features of genitalia, however, the habitat, time of year and location may help; slightly smaller than Narrow-bordered; examples with the middle pair of spots merged are frequent in Five-spot Burnet, but rare in Narrow-bordered (MBGBI Vol 2). Larva feeds on Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil, over-wintering at least once.