52.012 Synathedon vespiformis (Yellow-legged Clearwing)
ws: 17-24mm, fw 10-12mm; May-Aug; usually oak (Quercus spp) but also sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) and some other deciduous trees; NS-B England
Synanthedon vespiformis (Yellow-legged Clearwing) §1 male
Comes fairly readily to the VES lure in the afternoon from midday to 7pm.
Anal tuft is all black dorsally in male, largely yellow in female.
The reddish forewing bar and yellow legs distinguish this from other Synanthedon species. Bembecia ichneumoniformis (Six-belted Clearwing) is also similar but it has six yellow abdominal bands, the posterior transparent area is largely obliterated and it holds its wings closer to the body at rest.
Anal tuft is all black dorsally in male, largely yellow in female.
The reddish forewing bar and yellow legs distinguish this from other Synanthedon species. Bembecia ichneumoniformis (Six-belted Clearwing) is also similar but it has six yellow abdominal bands, the posterior transparent area is largely obliterated and it holds its wings closer to the body at rest.
Synanthedon vespiformis (Yellow-legged Clearwing) §1 male
§1 Hockley woods, Esssex; 04/07/2008; male; fw 9.0mm; to VES
§2 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; 28/06/2024; male; to VES
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; 28/06/2024; male; to VES
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 09/04/2012 (§1) | §2 added 07/10/2024
