Orange-tailed Clearwing

There are two distinct yellow bands on the abdomen but sometimes there are additional faint bands. The antennae are black.

The caterpillars spend two years feeding in thin stems of the foodplant, overwintering as larvae.

Size and Family

• Family – Clearwing moths (Sesiidae)
• Small Sized
• Wingspan Range – 18-22mm

Conservation status

• UK BAP: Not listed
• Nationally Scarce B

Caterpillar Food Plants

Wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana) and sometime Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)

Habitat

Chalk downland, limestone grassland and woodland edges

Distribution

• Countries – England and Wales
• Nationally Scarce B. Found in most counties in central southern England from Dorset to Kent and north to Worcestershire and Cambridgeshire. Also reported in Monmouthshire and Glamorgan in Wales.