Photo © Keith Tailby

Hornet Moth

Sesia apiformis

Checklist Number
52.002 [B&F: 0370]

Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification

Classification

Family:Sesiidae
Subfamily:Sesiinae
Genus:Sesia
Species:apiformis
Authority:(Clerck, 1759)

Nationally scarce (Nb) in open areas with scattered trees in central and southern England, though also recorded from Durham and north and south Wales; local in Ireland with scattered records from a few eastern and southern counties (MBGBI Vol 2). In Hampshire known from only a handful of sites, notably at Chilbolton, where known for many years. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 33-46 mm. Day-flying. Mainly recorded in the larval form, but the early stages are difficult to find during the winter months and the species' true distribution remains largely unknown; the use of the HOR pheromone lure is expanding our knowledge of the true distribution of this spectacular insect. Distinguished from the similar Lunar Hornet Moth by the yellow head and tegulae. Larva feeds within wood of Black Poplar and other poplars, over-wintering two or three times.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Hilsea, Portsmouth (SU60)21/02/2008-J R Langmaid, P H Sterling, I R ThirlwellEmergence holes
The Moors NR, Bishop's Waltham (SU51)12/10/2008-Phil BuddNest
Stanford in the Vale (SU41)28/06/2020oneSimon WoddyAdult

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Chilbolton (SU43)29/06/1966oneD W H FfennellAdult
Chilbolton (SU43)11/07/1966oneD W H FfennellAdult
Chilbolton (SU43)1982fourE C L SimsonAdult
Chilbolton (SU43)01/07/1985-Tony PicklesPupal
Chilbolton (SU43)19/04/1986-J R Langmaid, E C Pelham-Clinton, D H SterlingEmergence holes
Chilbolton (SU43)01/06/1989oneTony PicklesLarval
Forest Lodge (SU84)29/06/2008twoTony DavisExuvia
Chilbolton (SU43)22/02/2010-David G GreenLarval
Chilbolton (SU43)03/07/2010twoDavid G GreenPupal
Andover (SU34)22/05/201912Graeme DavisMine (vacated)
Andover (SU34)09/06/2019oneGraeme DavisAdult
Andover (SU34)03/07/2019threeGraeme DavisAdult
Basingstoke (SU64)09/06/2022oneSean PymanAdult
Basingstoke (SU64)09/06/2022-via iNaturalistAdult
Chilbolton (SU43)18/06/2022oneNigel R JonesAdult
Farnborough (SU85)22/06/2022oneRichard SeargentAdult
Tice's Meadow, Aldershot (SU84)02/07/2022oneSean FooteAdult
Hawley Meadows (SU85)10/07/2022oneBen DaleAdult
Blackwater (SU86)11/07/2022oneTom ForsterAdult