Sesiidae

52.005 Welsh Clearwing Synanthedon scoliaeformis (Borkhausen, 1789)

RDB

Similar species:

Forewing: 12 to 15mm

Habitats: Open birch woodland on acid soil and moorland.

Habits: The male is attracted to pheromone lures usually in the morning or early afternoon.

Foodplant: The larva feeds within the inner bark of mature Downy Birch. In the last instar it may eject reddish frass from cracks in the bark. The emergence holes are usually between one or two metres above the ground and can sometimes be found with the pale brown pupal case left in the hole.