The forewings are marked with reddish-brown scales, particularly around the edges. At rest, the wings are held close to the body. The males have seven yellow bands on the abdomen whereas the females have only six but both have a yellow tail fan.

They overwinter twice as larvae in the roots of the Raspberry plant, producing a gall at the base on the stem in the second year.

Size and Family

  • Family – Clearwing moths (Sesiidae)
  • Small Sized
  • Wingspan Range – 22-26mm

Conservation status

  • UK BAP: Not listed
  • Recent colonist

Caterpillar Food Plants

Found on Cultivated Raspberry in Britain, but also found on Wild Raspberry and Blackberry in Europe.

Habitat

Gardens and fruit farms.

Distribution

  • Countries – England
  • Recent colonist. Widespread in mainland Europe and first discovered in England in October 2007. Now found at commercial raspberry farms and some gardens.
Raspberry Clearwing - Tapio Kujala

Raspberry Clearwing

Raspberry Clearwing - Tapio Kujala

Raspberry Clearwing