Z. ephialtes L. (= falcatae Boisd.) (5 i, k). Forewing with 6 spots; the basal pair red, the others white; hindwing with a white dot. Abdomen with red belt. From South Germany and Switzerland, eastwards to Greece and South Siberia. — medusa Pall. [ now Z. ephialtes ssp. medusa Pallas, 1771] (5 k) is the form without the 6. spot: being especially frequent in the eastern districts of the area. — In the west of the area, especially in Northern Italy, South Germany, Austria, and also in some of the Balcan States, there occur two forms which are marked like ephialtes resp. medusa, but have the 2 basal spots of the forewing and the abdominal belt deep yellow instead of red; these forms are coronillae Esp.[ now Z. ephialtes ssp. coronillae [Denis & Schiffermüller] ], (6a) with 6 spots, and trigonellae Esp. [ now Z. ephialtes ssp. coronillae [Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775 ] (6a) with 5 spots. — Likewise in Austria there occur, often together with other forms at the same places, two varieties in which the spots of the forewing as well as the whole hindwing except the black margin are yellow; these are icterica Led. [now Z. ephialtes ssp. coronillae [Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775 ] (6 a) with 6 spots, and aeacus Esp. [now Z. ephialtes ssp. coronillae [Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775 ] (6 b) with 5 spots on the forewing. Sometimes the yellow colour has a strong reddish tint; such forms are named by Hirschke princi (6b), if there are 6 spots, and aurantiaca if there are 5. — Also red forms are found which are similar in appearance to red-belted filipendulae resp trifolii ab. orobi , being also the most northern forms. They are peucedani Esp. [ now Z. ephialtes ssp. peucedani Esper, 1780] (= hippocrepidis H.-Sch.; aeacus Hubn.) (6b) with 6 spots, and athamanthae Esp.[ now Z. ephialtes ssp. athamanthae Esper, 1789] (= veronicae Bkh.) (6c) with 5.
