[1] It is a large Zygaena with translucent wings with oval or rounded red spots.

5-spotted, the body entirely without hairs, with metallic green gloss; wings very sparsely scaled, the colour appearing pale.

[now subspecies] the abdominal belt is entirely missing above, appearing only as a lateral spot; North Italy, Dalmatia; near Pegli, at the Riviera, I met constantly with this form, while it occurs elsewhere only sparingly among the type-form.

[now full species Zygaena centaureae ] has a stronger antenna and the 5th spot is prolonged towards the hind angle.

— Larva greenish above, yellowish grey at the sides; subdorsal black dots, near which there are yellow spots; head greyish green.

They are sluggish and clumsy insects; the individuals occur more singly, there being apparently no decided flight-places as is the case with other Burnets.