52.002 [B&F: 0370] Hornet Moth Sesia apiformis (Clerck, 1759) - Nb

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.

Record Details

VC11: Winchester, one, field obs., 06 Jun (BRob)

Winchester
06/06/2024
field observation
Barrie Roberts
Photo © Barrie Roberts

52.003 [B&F: 0371] Lunar Hornet Moth Sesia bembeciformis (Hübner, [1806]) - Common

Common in fens, woodland, heaths, moorland and hedgerows throughout much of the British Isles, with most records in central and southern England. In Hampshire fairly well distributed, but apparently rare in the central half of northern Hampshire and the eastern quarter of southern Hampshire; also sparsely distributed on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 32-42 mm. Day-flying. Mainly recorded in the larval form, but the early stages are not easy to find during the winter months; attempts to synthesise an artificial pheromone have so far proved only partially successful. Larva feeds within wood of Sallow, Poplar and Willow, over-wintering twice.

Record Details

VC11: Marchwood, one, 23 Jul (CTha); Romsey, present, , 30 Jun (SRC); one, to pheromone lure, to LUN lure at 14.00. , 13 Jun; one, to pheromone lure, to LUN lure at 12.00. , 28 Jun; one, to pheromone lure, to LUN lure at 16.00. , 02 Jul; two, to pheromone lure, to LUN lure at 10.00. , 04 Jul (NRJ); Leckford Estate, two, to pheromone lure, to LUN, 19 Jul (SIng); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, to pheromone lure, 23 Jun (RAC); St Denys, Southampton, present, to pheromone lure, 2-5. Male also in attendance. , 26 Jun; two, field obs., 26 Jun (CTow); Swaythling, Southampton, one, to pheromone lure, 29 Jun (MEdg); Allbrook, one, to pheromone lure, to LUN lure, 17 Jun; Highbridge, Eastleigh, one, to pheromone lure, 22 Jun (SIng); Stubbington, one, to pheromone lure, 13 Jul (DPH); Funtley, one, to pheromone lure, to LUN at 09:40. , 17 Jun (TDC); Fareham, three, field obs., attracted to pheromone lure LUN, 13 Jul (MLO); Waterlooville, one, to pheromone lure, to LUN. , 24 Jun (DWhe);

VC12: Leckford, five, to pheromone lure, 20 Jul (TDC); Whitehill, Bordon, one, to pheromone lure, 27 Jun (ASto); Kingsley Common, one, to pheromone lure, 11 Jul (CRoc)

52.006 [B&F: 0375] White-barred Clearwing Synanthedon spheciformis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Nationally Scarce

Nationally scarce (Nb) in heathland, marshes, river-banks and damp woodland in southern and central England, northwards to Yorkshire, and north and south Wales. In Hampshire mostly restricted to the extreme north and east of vice-county 12 (north Hampshire), while in vice-county 11 (south Hampshire) the species is recorded from Emer Bog and Chandler's Ford. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 26-31 mm. Day-flying. The early stages may be sought during the winter months, but synthetic pheromone lures are used to attract males nowadays, and this has led to a marked increase in records of the species in recent years. Larva feeds within wood of Alder, Silver Birch and Downy Birch, over-wintering two or three times.

Record Details

VC12: Silchester Common, two, to pheromone lure, to TIP between 12:45 - 13:10. , 25 May (TDC,DPH)

52.007 [B&F: 0381] Large Red-belted Clearwing Synanthedon culiciformis (Linnaeus, 1758) - Nationally Scarce

Nationally scarce (Nb) in heaths and open woodland in parts of the British Isles. In Hampshire locally common in the north-east and around the New Forest. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 22-25 mm. Day-flying, the earliest clearwing to emerge in spring. Generally larger than the similar Red-belted Clearwing, the sizes overlap and it can be distinguished by the orange-red suffusion at the base of the forewings and reddish palps. The larva feeds within bark of Silver Birch, Downy Birch and Alder, making characteristic tunnels under the bark of birch trees and stumps.

Record Details

VC12: Silchester Common, one, to pheromone lure, to CUL at 16:10. , 25 May (TDC,DPH); Whitehill, Bordon, one, to pheromone lure, 18 May (ASto)

Silchester Common
25/05/2024
to CUL pheromone lure
Trevor Codlin
Photo © Trevor Codlin

Silchester Common
25/05/2024
to CUL pheromone lure
Trevor Codlin
Photo © Trevor Codlin

52.008 [B&F: 0380] Red-tipped Clearwing Synanthedon formicaeformis (Esper, 1782) - Nb

Nationally scarce (Nb) in fens, marshes, river-banks, damp areas, gravel pits and ponds in southern England, northwards to Dumfriesshire, and southern Wales; rare in Ireland. In Hampshire found in small numbers in suitable habitat in both the north and south of the county, and probably under-recorded; the same is true of the Isle of Wight, where it was first found in 2015 but has been annual since. Wingspan 17-19 mm. Day-flying. The early stages may be sought during the winter months, but synthetic pheromone lures are used to attract males nowadays, and this has led to a marked increase in records of the species in recent years. Larva feeds within stems and wood of Osier, Willow and Sallow.

Record Details

VC10: Alverstone, 15, to pheromone lure, photo 52.008-10-27Jun24-1., 27 Jun (PBard);

VC11: Marchwood, eight, to pheromone lure, 27 Jul (CTha); Cromarty Pond area, Lord's Hill, one, field obs., 29 Jul (JClx); Romsey, present, , 16 Jun; one, to pheromone lure, 16 Jun (SRC); Leckford Estate, one, to pheromone lure, to HOR lure, 19 Jul (SIng); Sholing, one, to pheromone lure, 05 Jun (ARC); Wildern LNR, Hedge End, one, field obs., 12 Jun (TCrw); Allbrook, one, to pheromone lure, to FOR lure at 1430hrs, 16 Jun; one, to pheromone lure, to Leek moth Lure, 14 Jul; Highbridge, Eastleigh, one, to pheromone lure, to FOR Lure, 17 Jun (SIng); Stubbington, one, to pheromone lure, 17 Jun (DPH); Funtley, two, to pheromone lure, 1 to FOR, 1 to TIP at 12:15. , 17 Jun (TDC); Waterlooville, one, to pheromone lure, to FOR. , 19 Jun (DWhe); South Holt Farm, NF, one, to pheromone lure, 26 Jun (CGree det. JPha); Muscliffe, Bournemouth, three, to pheromone lure, 23 Jul (MKir); Mude Valley LNR, one, field obs., 09 Jun (WBows det. MGibb); Lepe, one, field obs., 20 Jun (PGS);

VC12: Leckford, one, to pheromone lure, 20 Jul (TDC); Pamber Forest, one, to pheromone lure, to FOR. , 27 Jul; Upper Inhams Copse, Pamber Forest, three, to pheromone lure, to FOR. , 18 Jun (GJD); Whitehill, Bordon, one, to pheromone lure, 16 Jun (ASto); Greywell, one, field obs., to FOR, 04 Jul; Eversley Common, two, field obs., to FOR, 27 Jun; Farnborough, three, field obs., to FOR. First record for the garden, 29 Jun (KBW);

52.009 [B&F: 0377] Sallow Clearwing Synanthedon flaviventris (Staudinger, 1883) - Nationally Scarce

Nationally scarce (Nb) in damp woodland and heathland in central southern and south-eastern England; adults appear only in even years. In Hampshire where the species was discovered new to Britain in 1926 near Southampton, the galls made by the larva of this species on Grey Sallow Salix cinerea are sometimes locally common in the winters of "even" years, mainly in the south-east of the county, but the insect is often heavily parasitised. There are a few scattered records from the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 17-20 mm. Day-flying. The early stages may be sought during the winter months, but synthetic pheromone lures are used to attract males nowadays, and this has led to a marked increase in records of the species in recent years. Larva feeds within stems of Sallow, over-wintering twice.

Record Details

VC11: Leckford Estate, one, to pheromone lure, to SAL Lure, 19 Jul (SIng); Sholing, one, to pheromone lure, to SAL pheromone. , 19 Jul; one, to pheromone lure, 20 Jul (ARC); Allbrook, one, to pheromone lure, to SAL lure at 1330hrs, 11 Jul (SIng); Highbridge, Eastleigh, present, to pheromone lure, , 13 Jul (iNat); two, to pheromone lure, to SAL lure, 13 Jul (SIng); Botley Wood, one, to pheromone lure, 18 Jul; one, to pheromone lure, comm. by email 18.vii.2024. , 18 Jul (DPH); Waterlooville, one, to pheromone lure, sAL lure at 3pm. , 29 Jun (DWhe);

VC12: Leckford, one, to pheromone lure, 20 Jul (TDC); North Waltham, one, to pheromone lure, 19 Jul (AJon); The Millfield LNR, Old Basing, one, to pheromone lure, 30 Jul (JKA); #REF!

52.010 [B&F: 0378] Orange-tailed Clearwing Synanthedon andrenaeformis (Laspeyres, 1801) - Nb

Nationally scarce (Nb) in chalk downland, limestone grassland and woodland edges in southern England, northwards to Worcestershire. In Hampshire probably found across the central chalk downs, but also found to the north in woodland and urban areas, including around Basingstoke. Surprisingly rare in South Hampshire south of Winchester. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 18-22 mm. Day-flying. The early stages may be sought during the winter months, but synthetic pheromone lures are used to attract males nowadays, and this has led to a marked increase in records of the species in recent years. Larva feeds in the stems and twigs of Wayfaring Tree and less often in Guelder Rose, over-wintering twice. Old galls are conspicuous, but tenanted ones are difficult to see.

Record Details

VC11: #REF!#REF!#REF!Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, to pheromone lure, 23 Jun (RAC); Sholing, one, to pheromone lure, to VES. , 18 Jun (ARC); Allbrook, one, to pheromone lure, to VES lure, 23 Jun; Highbridge, Eastleigh, one, to pheromone lure, 22 Jun (SIng); Stubbington, one, to pheromone lure, 18 Jun (DPH); Funtley, one, to pheromone lure, to AND at 13:00. , 17 Jun; one, to pheromone lure, to AND @ 14:00. , 27 Jun (TDC); Fareham, two, field obs., attracted to TIP lure, 23 Jun; three, field obs., attracted to TIP lure, 29 Jun (MLO); Waterlooville, two, to pheromone lure, aND lure. , 23 Jun (DWhe); Oxenbourne Down, one, to pheromone lure, 22 Jun (AMD);

VC12: Basingstoke, three, to pheromone lure, 19 Jul (MJW); The Millfield LNR, Old Basing, one, to pheromone lure, 24 Jun; present, to pheromone lure, 22 Jul; one, to pheromone lure, 02 Aug (JKA); Whitehill, Bordon, one, to pheromone lure, to VES. , 20 Jun (ASto); Farnborough, one, field obs., to AND, 29 Jun (KBW)

52.011 [B&F: 0379] Red-belted Clearwing Synanthedon myopaeformis (Borkhausen, 1789) - Nb

Nationally scarce (Nb) in orchards, gardens, hedgerows, open woodland and scrub in southern England, northwards to Yorkshire, and north Wales. In Hampshire an essentially garden or suburban species, colonies often affecting a single apple tree, and has been attracted to pheromone lure in several localities. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 15-22 mm. Day-flying. Generally smaller than the similar Large Red-belted Clearwing, but the sizes overlap and it can be distinguished by the lack of an orange-red suffusion at the base of the forewings and whitish palps. Larva feeds within bark of Apple, Rowan, Pear and Almond.

Record Details

VC11: Marchwood, two, to pheromone lure, 27 Jul (CTha); Romsey, five, to pheromone lure, 09 Jun; #REF!#REF!#REF!#REF!three, to pheromone lure, to CUL lure at 16.00. , 20 May; four, to pheromone lure, to CUL lure at 09.00. , 22 Jun (NRJ); Dibden Purlieu, present, to pheromone lure, 29 Jun (RAC); Sholing, one, to pheromone lure, to SAL. , 23 Jun (ARC); Allbrook, three, to pheromone lure, to MYO, 17 Jun; Highbridge, Eastleigh, one, to pheromone lure, to MYO, 17 Jun (SIng); Stubbington, one, to pheromone lure, 18 Jun (DPH); Funtley, two, to pheromone lure, to MYO at 13:05. , 19 Jun; 10, to pheromone lure, to SAL 12:15 - 17:30. , 24 Jun; one, 26 Jun (TDC); Fareham, two, field obs., attracted to MYO lure, 25 Jun; one, field obs., attracted to MYO lure, 29 Jun (MLO); Waterlooville, one, to pheromone lure, to MYO. , 17 Jun; one, to pheromone lure, to CUL. , 19 Jun; two, to pheromone lure, to CUL. , 27 Jun (DWhe); Petersfield, present, to pheromone lure, , 27 Jun (iNat);

VC12: Old Basing, one, to pheromone lure, 18 Jun; The Millfield LNR, Old Basing, present, to pheromone lure, 18 Jun; one, to pheromone lure, 24 Jun; #REF!#REF!

52.012 [B&F: 0374] Yellow-legged Clearwing Synanthedon vespiformis (Linnaeus, 1761) - Nb

Nationally scarce (Nb) in open woodland, parks and hedgerows in central southern England northwards to Yorkshire; occasionally locally common in gardens and on allotments. Probably under-recorded in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, where the extent of known records correlate with those areas in which the recording effort is concentrated. Wingspan 17-24 mm. Day-flying, occasionally seen in flight in woodland where oak trees have been felled. The early stages may be sought during the winter months, but synthetic pheromone lures are used to attract males nowadays, and this has led to a marked increase in records of the species in recent years. Larva feeds in the bark of Oak, Silver Birch, Downy Birch, Wych Elm and English Elm; larval workings may sometimes be found in abundance between the bark and wood of one-year-old oak stumps.

Record Details

VC11: Romsey, present, to pheromone lure, , 23 Jun (SRC); Sholing, one, to pheromone lure, to VES. , 18 May; one, to pheromone lure, 18 Jun (ARC); Chandlers Ford, six, to pheromone lure, to VES lure. , 07 Aug (MWelf); Allbrook, one, to pheromone lure, ves lure @ 1315hrs, 09 Jun; Highbridge, Eastleigh, one, to pheromone lure, to VES lure, 17 Jun (SIng); Stubbington, one, to pheromone lure, 19 Jul (DPH); Funtley, three, to pheromone lure, to VES at 16:30. , 01 Aug (TDC); Fareham, one, to pheromone lure, 11 Aug (ADT); one, field obs., attracted to ves lure, 22 Jun (MLO); Botley Wood, five, to pheromone lure, 16 Jun (DPH); Waterlooville, present, to pheromone lure, to VES. , 05 Jun (DWhe); South Holt Farm, NF, one, to pheromone lure, 07 Jun (CGree det. JPha); Christchurch: Cross Way, three, to pheromone lure, 17 Jul (LPyk); Sway, one, to pheromone lure, to VES lure at 1504, 19 May; one, to pheromone lure, to VES at 1126hrs, 19 Jun (SKee); Lymington, one, to SAL lure, 02 Jul (ASH);

VC12: The Millfield LNR, Old Basing, present, to pheromone lure, 24 Jun (JKA); Pamber Forest, five, to pheromone lure, to VES. , 27 Jul (GJD); Whitehill, Bordon, one, to pheromone lure, 25 May; one, to pheromone lure, 17 Jun (ASto);

52.013 [B&F: 0373] Currant Clearwing Synanthedon tipuliformis (Clerck, 1759) - Nb

Nationally scarce (Nb) in gardens, farmland, market gardens and allotments in southern England northwards to Aberdeenshire, and north and south Wales (MBGBI Vol 2). In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight there are clusters of records in and around Portsmouth and Gosport; in recent years, increasingly reported elsewhere in the county and on the Island. Wingspan 17-20 mm. Day-flying, the moth flying in sunshine over currant bushes Ribes. The early stages may be sought during the winter months, but synthetic pheromone lures are now used to attract males nowadays, and this has led to a marked increase in records of the species in recent years. Larva feeds within stems of Black Currant, Red Currant and Gooseberry.

Record Details

VC11: Romsey, present, to pheromone lure, , 29 Jun; one, to pheromone lure, to TIP. , 29 Jun (SRC); West End, one, to pheromone lure, 24 Jun (AMD); Allbrook, one, to pheromone lure, tip lure at 1700hrs, 02 Jun; Highbridge, Eastleigh, one, to pheromone lure, 22 Jun (SIng); Fareham, one, field obs., attracted to pherone lure TIP at 1530hrs, 17 Jul (MLO); Lymington, one, 02 Jun (ASH);

VC12: Whitehill, Bordon, one, to pheromone lure, 16 Jun; three, to pheromone lure, 20 Jun; three, to pheromone lure, to TIP. , 22 Jun; three, to pheromone lure, 23 Jun (ASto); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, field obs., 25 Jun; two, field obs., 29 Jun (ASwa)

52.014 [B&F: 0382] Six-belted Clearwing Bembecia ichneumoniformis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Nb

Nationally scarce (Nb) on chalk and limestone grassland, downland, embankments and quarries in southern England, south Wales and east Yorkshire. Fairly widely distributed mainly on downland across Hampshire, and mainly along the south coast in the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 15-21 mm. Unmistakable. Day-flying, sometimes found nectaring by day but most frequently encountered as a visitor to pheromone lure. Larva feeds within roots of Bird's-foot Trefoil and Kidney Vetch.

Record Details

VC10: Headon Warren, 15, to pheromone lure, photo 52.014-10-1Jul24-1., 01 Jul (PBard);

VC11: Portsdown, one, field obs., 20 Jul (DPH); Portsmouth Water Site - Farlington WTW, one, field obs., 20 Jun; three, field obs., 19 Jul; Farlington Marshes HIWWT NR, present, field obs., , 20 Jun (SRC); Hengistbury Head, eight, to pheromone lure, 30 Jul; 15, to pheromone lure, 31 Jul (RPH); Browndown, present, field obs., 23 Jun (TDC);

VC12: Cliddesden, Basingstoke, one, field obs., 22 Jul (AMos); Whitehill, Bordon, one, to pheromone lure, 19 Jul (ASto)