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. 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