Sesiidae

52.009 Sallow Clearwing Synanthedon flaviventris (Staudinger, 1883)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 8 to 9mm

Habitats: Damp heathland, marshland scrub and open woodland.

Habits: The male is attracted to pheromone lures, usually in the afternoon.

Foodplant: The larva bores the slender twigs of Goat Willow and Grey Willow. It overwinters twice. During the second year it forms a 25mm pear-shaped, stem gall on 10 to 15mm thick twigs which are usually straight second year growth at the top of old bushes These are usually found in winters before an even year due to its two year lifecycle. The galls can be mistaken for those of the beetle Saperda populnea.