Warm summer days are ideal for trying to find day flying Clearwing moths but these ephemeral little insects with transparent wings are very difficult to find as they zip around at high speed and seem to rarely settle for long.
The way to find them is by luring them in using the particular pheromone of the female of each species and by hanging this little bag of fake insect ponginess on or near their chosen larval food plant.
As such we have been very successful so far this week with four species caught, confirmed and then released.
Orange Tailed Clearwing that breeds on Guelder Rose and Wayfaring Tree
Six Banded Clearwing - Birds Foot Trefoil
Red-tipped Clearwing - Goat Willow
Red Belted Clearwing - Fruit Trees
I have actually been lucky enough to see a fifth species this week although this monster is not found on our reserve but was caught near our reserve at Cliffe in North Kent. It loves mature poplars and is very aptly named a Hornet Clearwing.
And yes, all the moths were returned to their respective spots...
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer