Clearwing Season

 

Last year, during a hot few days in July, I managed to see four different Clearwings in the garden attracted there by Pheromone lures. Seeing them was one of my highlights of the year and a target I had been pursuing for a long time. I had seen success with Emperor Moth lures but after trying many different locations around the county I had begun to think that I had been sold some dud Clearwing lures.

I put the lures in the freezer for the winter and had really forgotten about them until my friend e-mailed me to say he had caught Red-belted Clearwings in his garden only about a mile from where I live.

Red-belted Clearwing - Synanthedon myopaeformis

Unfortunately I was off to stay in Bromley in South East London house sitting for a few days but I was taking the moth trap so the lures and trap went along as well. Bromley is very green for a London suburb with lots of large mature gardens and big trees so the mothing was good.

Currant Clearwing - Synanthedon tipuliformis

Clearwings were also flying. I had in total 8 Currant, 2 Red-belted, 1 Orange-tailed and 4 Yellow-legged Clearwings to the trap in the Bromley garden. The Currant and Orange-tailed being new species for me.

Orange-tailed - Synanthedon andrenaeformis

Returning home a week later I was keen to get the Currant and Orange-tailed on the Garden list so was quick to get the lures out before the hot weather disappeared. Over the next couple of days I managed to pick up 5 Currant, 1 Orange-tailed and 4 Red-belted before the hot spell broke and the cooler weather returned.

Yellow-legged - Synanthedon vespiformis

I am now waiting for the next hot spell. As we approach July I should see the Six-belted and Red-tipped which were in the garden last year. I am also hopeful of the Large Red-belted and Raspberry Clearwings which should be in the local area. So a potential seven or eight species for the garden. Beyond that it is going to get a bit more challenging.