Species Details

ABH: 52.006

BF: 375

Family: Sesiidae

Subfamily: Sesiinae

Taxon: Synanthedon spheciformis

Authority: ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Vernacular: White-barred Clearwing

Account: Nationally scarce (Nb) in heathland, marshes, river-banks and damp woodland in southern and central England, northwards to Yorkshire, and north and south Wales 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.

Accounts provided by and used with the kind permission of Mike Wall, Hampshire County Moth Recorder. These will in due course be gradually replaced with species accounts with a Surrey context.

Wingspan: 26 — 31 mm

Surrey Flight Period: 22 May (1938) — 29 Jun (1923)

The flight period of overwintering adults are not given. See the flight chart below the distribution map.

Foodplant: Alnus sp., Betula sp. (a birch).

Foodplant accounts are from the HOSTS database — Natural History Museum, London, UK. (CC0).

Status: Least Concern (LC)

UK BAP:

WCA:

Click here to view the full geology map of Surrey.

Verification Grade: 1 — Relatively easily identified 👌

Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/synanthedon-spheciformis/

Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 38

Individuals: 41

Earliest Year: 1913

Latest Year: 2022

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