Yellow-legged Clearwing

Synanthedon vespiformis

This record describes Synanthedon vespiformis (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Yellow-legged Clearwing - Synanthedon vespiformis

Wingspan 18 to 20 mm. Another wasp-mimic getting its name from its noticeable yellow legs. A good photograph is generally required to support your record. When adding a record please state whether a pheromone lure was used. To be seen in areas where Oak is present. The larvae feed internally on the wood of the foodplant Oak ( Quercus ). Yellow-legged Clearwing is distributed over the southern half of England, and was believed to be uncommon. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. However the introduction of an effective pheromone lure for this species has shown it to be more common than previously thought. No additional images available for this species.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sesiidae
Genus: Synanthedon

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Habitat

To be seen in areas where Oak is present.

Seasonal Activity

Flies from May to July during the day.

Diet and Behavior

Life History

The larvae feed internally on the wood of the foodplant Oak (

Additional species information

Recorded status

Yellow-legged Clearwing is distributed over the southern half of England, and was believed to be uncommon. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. However 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 vespiformis. 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.

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