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.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
11	2	0	2008	2008
12	15	28	1951	2019

2020 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

Record Details

VC11: Stanford in the Vale*, one, field observation, 28 Jun (SWod)

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.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	9	4	1900	2017
11	70	20	1960	2018
12	33	11	1951	2019

2020 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
10	2	3	2
11	17	32	5
12	2	2	1

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

Record Details

VC10: Ryde, one, field observation, 11 Jul (JGau det. JBa); Seaview*, two, field observation, 08 Jun (PDyk det. JBa);

VC11: Ashurst, NF, five, to pheromone lure, lUN lure, 06 Jul (SAB); Nursling Substation, one, to pheromone lure, 10 Jul; Southampton, three, to pheromone lure, 18 Jul (JClx); Romsey, one, to pheromone lure, to LUN lure, 20 Jul (SC); one, to pheromone lure, to LUN lure , 08 Jul (NRJ); Chilworth Common, one, to pheromone lure, 22 Jul (JClx); St Denys, Southampton, one, field observation, 17 Jun (CTo det. MGP); Southampton, one, to pheromone lure, 12 Jul (MEdg); Wildern LNR, larva, three, field observation, 03 Jul (SFo); Fair Oak, Eastleigh, one, field observation, 10 Jul (iNat); Eastleigh, five, to pheromone lure, 06 Jul (KArb); Titchfield Haven NNR, one, 11 Jul (DAS); Titchfield, one, to pheromone lure, 06 Jul; Catisfield, one, to pheromone lure, 12 Jul (ALR); Fair Oak, five, to pheromone lure, to LUN lure, 14 Jul; two, to pheromone lure, to LUN lure, 23 Jul (SI);

VC12: Andover, larval feeding signs, present, field observation, lots of larval working where sallows cut down, 26 Dec (TJN, LF); Pamber Forest, one, to pheromone lure, to LUN lure, 16 Jul (GJD); Whitehill*, one, to pheromone lure, 11 Jul (ASto)

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.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
11	6	3	1800	1994
12	49	87	1800	2019

2020 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
12	2	8	5

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

Record Details

VC12: Pamber Forest, three, to pheromone lure, 28 May (GJD); Pamber Heath, two, to pheromone lure, 26 May (PCus); Fleet Pond, five, netted, 25 May (MHals)

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.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
11	23	24	1951	2018
12	43	160	1951	2018

2020 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
11	2	2	1

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

Record Details

VC11: Romsey, one, to pheromone lure, to CUL lure, 19 May (NRJ)

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.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	8	50	2015	2019
11	42	65	1978	2019
12	27	55	2004	2019

2020 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
10	5	15	5
11	9	14	4
12	3	4	2

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Alverstone, two, to pheromone lure, to FOR lure, 15 Jun (IOu); Sandown, one, field observation, 16 Jul (SWhi det. IOu); five, to pheromone lure, to FOR lure, 15 Jun (IOu);

VC11: Blashford Lakes, four, field observation, 11 Jun (DAS); Ashurst, NF, one, to pheromone lure, 15 Jun (SAB); Chandlers Ford, one, indoors, 15 Jun (AMu); Southampton, one, to pheromone lure, 12 Jul (MEdg); Wildern LNR, one, field observation, 08 Jun; one, field observation, 06 Jul (TCr); Eastleigh, two, sugaring, 21 Jun (KArb); Titchfield Haven NNR, one, 11 Jul (DAS); Fair Oak*, one, to pheromone lure, to FOR lure, 25 Jun (SI); Wickham Common*, four, to pheromone lure, 20 Jul; two, to pheromone lure, 21 Jul (KC); two, 11 Jul (DAS);

VC12: Lower Inhams Copse, Pamber, two, to pheromone lure, to FOR lure, 02 Jun; one, to pheromone lure, to FOR lure, 21 Jul; Silchester Brook, one, to pheromone lure, to FOR lure, 21 Jul (GJD); Yateley*, one, to pheromone lure, to FOR lure, 02 Jun (JHH)

Alverstone
15/06/2020
- to FOR lure
Iain Outlaw
Photo © Iain Outlaw

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.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	4	1	1930	2010
11	65	39	1800	2010
12	32	54	1800	2018

2020 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
10	1	1	1
11	12	33	8
12	5	6	2

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

Record Details

VC10: Afton Marsh, one, to pheromone lure, to SAL lure, 24 Jul (SDa);

VC11: Holmsley, NF, eight, 18 Jul (DAS); three, field observation, to SAL lure, 12 Jul (PDB); Nursling*, one, 28 Jul (PDW); Nursling Substation*, three, to pheromone lure, sAL lure, 06 Jul; three, to pheromone lure, sAL lure, 06 Jul (JClx); Romsey, two, to pheromone lure, to SAL lure, 11 Jul (NRJ); Allbrook*, three, to pheromone lure, sAL Lure, 11 Jul; Fair Oak, one, to pheromone lure, sAL Lure, 13 Jul (SI); Wickham Common, one, to pheromone lure, 10 Jul; three, to pheromone lure, 13 Jul (KC);

VC12: Anton Lakes, larva, one, field observation, 20 Jul (SFo); Anton Lakes, Hampshire, one, to pheromone lure, to SAL lure, 20 Jul (JRen); Pamber Forest, one, to pheromone lure, to SAL lure, 16 Jul; Lower Inhams Copse, Pamber, one, to pheromone lure, to SAL lure, 21 Jul; Pamber Forest, two, to pheromone lure, to LUN lure, 16 Jul (GJD)

Afton Marsh
24/07/2020
- to SAL lure
Sue Davies
Photo © Sue Davies

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.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
11	56	52	1700	2019
12	131	310	1800	2019

2020 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
11	7	11	3
12	6	11	4

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

Record Details

VC11: Romsey, five, to pheromone lure, 30 May (SC); Allbrook, three, to pheromone lure, 31 May; one, to pheromone lure, 07 Jun; one, to pheromone lure, to VES lure, 13 Jun (SI); Wickham Common, one, 20 Jun (DAS);

VC12: Crawley, one, to pheromone lure, to VES lure, 26 May; one, to pheromone lure, to VES lure, 28 May; four, to pheromone lure, to VES lure, 15 Jun (TNo); Magdalen Hill Down NR, two, 12 Jun (DAS); Mapledurwell Fen HIWWT, two, to pheromone lure, to VES lure, 17 Jun; Pamber Forest, one, to pheromone lure, 28 May (GJD)

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.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
11	95	187	1900	2019
12	50	99	1961	2019

2020 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
11	10	22	4
12	6	10	4

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Ashurst, NF, one, to pheromone lure, 29 May; one, to pheromone lure, 15 Jun; one, to pheromone lure, 24 Jun (SAB); Nursling Substation, four, to pheromone lure, to MYO lure , also coming to CUL lure, 28 May (JClx); Romsey, 11, to pheromone lure, 21 May (SC); two, to pheromone lure, to CUL lure, 01 Jun (NRJ); Allbrook, two, to pheromone lure, 31 May; Fair Oak, three, to pheromone lure, to MYO lure, 24 Jun (SI);

VC12: Crawley, four, to pheromone lure, to CUL lure, 20 May; two, to pheromone lure, to MYO lure, 28 May (TNo); Basingstoke, one, field observation, 12 Jun (PEH); Pamber Forest, one, to pheromone lure, to CUL lure, 21 May (GJD); Pamber Heath, one, to pheromone lure, 26 May (PCus); Alton, one, to pheromone lure, 20 May (BCA); Yateley Common, two, to pheromone lure, to CUL lure, 25 May; Yateley*, two, field observation, attracted to CUL lure, 20 May (JHH); one, to pheromone lure, 21 Jun (GHa)

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.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	20	7	1906	2017
11	52	60	1900	2019
12	60	88	1800	2019

2020 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
11	15	24	4
12	3	3	1

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

Record Details

VC11: Holmsley, NF, one, to pheromone lure, 12 Jul (PDB); Denny Wood, NF, larva, one, field observation, 22 May (SFo); Ashurst, NF*, one, to pheromone lure, 21 May; one, to pheromone lure, 22 Jul (SAB); Lordswood, Southampton*, two, to pheromone lure, to VES lure , 07 Jul (JClx); Romsey, one, to pheromone lure, 18 Jul (SC); Crab Wood, Winchester, one, 20 Jun; four, 26 Jun (DAS); Allbrook, one, to pheromone lure, to VES lure, 14 Jun; two, to pheromone lure, 12 Jul (SI); Locks Heath, one, indoors, 15 Sep (PAS); Fair Oak, two, to pheromone lure, to VES lure, 14 Jul (SI); West Walk*, three, to pheromone lure, 07 Jun (GRE);

VC12: Pamber Forest, one, to pheromone lure, 13 Jul (GJD); Hook, one, to pheromone lure, to VES lure, 16 Jul; Bartley Heath, one, to pheromone lure, to VES lure, 07 Jul (PAV)

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.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	12	5	1856	2015
11	82	180	1900	2019
12	49	86	1951	2019

2020 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
11	3	3	1
12	2	2	1

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

Record Details

VC11: Ashurst, NF*, one, to pheromone lure, 15 Jun (SAB); Allbrook, one, to pheromone lure, to TIP lure, 13 Jun (SI);

VC12: Crawley*, one, to pheromone lure, to TIP lure, 27 May (TNo); Alton, one, to pheromone lure, 21 May (BCA)

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.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	86	228	1856	2019
11	115	731	1951	2019
12	83	562	1951	2019

2020 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
10	1	15	15
11	6	7	2
12	2	2	1

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Wheelers Bay, 15, 24 Jun (IOu);

VC11: Beaulieu Heath, Lymington, present, field observation, 14 Jul (PCol); Up Somborne Down, two, to pheromone lure, to API lure, 22 Jun (TNo); Allbrook, one, to pheromone lure, to API lure, 31 Jul; Fair Oak, one, to pheromone lure, to API lure, 25 Jun (SI); Wickham Common, two, to pheromone lure, 30 Jul (KC);

VC12: Winchester, one, field observation, 08 Jun (iNat); Pamber Forest, one, to pheromone lure, to API lure, 16 Jul; one, to pheromone lure, to API lure, 16 Jul (GJD)

52.016 [B&F: 0383] Thrift Clearwing Pyropteron muscaeformis (Esper, 1783) - Nationally Scarce

Nationally scarce (Nb) along sea cliffs and rocky coasts in parts of south-western England, Wales and eastern Scotland, predominantly coastal. A sighting at Needs Ore in 2020 was a surprise - unfortunately there is no photo but the observers had no doubt of the identity being familiar with the species. Wingspan 15-18 mm. Day-flying. The moths fly in June and July, when they can be found on flowers of the foodplant as well as on Thyme; they also come to pheromone lure. Larva feeds within the roots and crowns of Thrift.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record

2020 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
11	1	1	1

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: New Vice-county Record: Needs Ore*, one, field observation, 14 Jun (ACl, PS)