Usually the forewings show three bright red longitudinal streaks quite variable in shape, with almost transparent greyish-bluish edges.

In this species the hindmargin of the forewing (base included) is all black, while the red wedge-spots situated before it may be shaped entirely as in erythrus Hbn.

An aberration with light yellow instead of red markings, already recorded by Ochsenheimer, has more lately been named by Ruhl ab.

[ subspecies ] is also a very thinly scaled form from the high mountains of Europe and Asia, having moreover (like many mountain-forms) a very shaggy body, like Zygaena exulans, with which it occurs occasionally together.

[synonym of Z.purpuralis] has a black apex to the hindwing and the central streak of forewing is entirely of even width, not in the least being dilated distally; in South Europe, as far north as Austria.

[ synonym of purpuralis ], from North Germany, the antenna is thinner and the central wedge-spot of the somewhat broader forewing extends to near the distal edge.

pimpinellae ] the central streak is broadly interrupted and the posterior one often constricted in middle; more in the North of the area, among the name-typical form.

— If all three streaks are interrupted, the red is separated into 6 spots, recalling the pattern of other Zygaenas; this form is ab.

This species can be is found in most of western, central and southern Europe, from Ireland to France through to Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Russia and across the Palearctic to the Altai Mountains.

Zygaena purpuralis prefers sunny and grassy slopes, under cliffs and dry grassland.