Sesiidae

52.014 Six-belted Clearwing Bembecia ichneumoniformis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 9 to 12mm

Habitats: Calcareous downland and grassland, including sea-cliffs and coastal slopes, rough hillsides, quarries, embankments and other sites that are not heavily grazed.

Habits: The male sometimes sits on downland flowers in the afternoon and comes to pheremone lures from early morning through to early evening as longs as it is warm and sunny. It can be swept from the foodplants.

Foodplant: The larva feeds in the roots of isolated plants of Bird's-foot Trefoil, Kidney Vetch and occasionally Horseshoe Vetch. It prefers plants found on eroded ground or the edges of paths. Unfortunately larvae can only be found by digging up stressed plants and looking for frass along the roots.