Red-belted Clearwing
Synanthedon myopaeformis
This record describes Synanthedon myopaeformis (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
When adding a record please state whether a pheromone lure was used. Allotments, orchards, gardens and woodland. They occur from June to early August. The moths fly during the day but are not often seen, except by the use of pheromone lures. The larvae live under the bark of old fruit trees, especially Apple but sometimes others. A local species, occurring in the southern half of England. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain Red-belted Clearwing was classified as Nationally Scarce B, but the introduction of an effective pheromone lure for this species has shown it to be more common than previously thought.
Wikipedia reference for Synanthedon myopaeformis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synanthedon_myopaeformis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Sesioidea
- Family
- Sesiidae (Clearwing Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sesiinae
- Tribe
- Synanthedonini
- Genus
- Synanthedon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Allotments, orchards, gardens and woodland.
Seasonal Activity
They occur from June to early August. The moths fly during the day but are not often seen, except by the use of pheromone lures.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae live under the bark of old fruit trees, especially Apple but sometimes others.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A local species, occurring in the southern half of England. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain Red-belted Clearwing was classified as Nationally Scarce B, but the introduction of an effective pheromone lure for this species has shown it to be more common than previously thought.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Synanthedon myopaeformis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Red-belted Clearwing (6)
Frequently Asked Questions About Red-belted Clearwing
What is Red-belted Clearwing?
Red-belted Clearwing (Synanthedon myopaeformis) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Red-belted Clearwing found?
Habitat: Allotments, orchards, gardens and woodland.
When is Red-belted Clearwing active?
Red-belted Clearwing: seasonal activity - They occur from June to early August. The moths fly during the day but are not often seen, except by the use of pheromone lures..
What is the life cycle of a Red-belted Clearwing?
The larvae live under the bark of old fruit trees, especially Apple but sometimes others.