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This rarely seen moth is said to be the most widespread clearwing in the British Isles. Most observations are of the larval workings in the lower trunk and upper roots of its foodplants, sallows and willows. Mature trees in damp locations seem to be preferred. There is one generation a year but the larva overwinters twice. The adults emerge in July and are active in sunshine. Soon after emergence and in dull weather they may be found resting on sallow or willow trunks.
On Tuesday 13th March 2007, Harry Whiteley and Steve Warrillow found evidence of borings at the Denso Marston Wildlife Park in Baildon VC64.
These tunnels are characteristic of second year bembeciformis larvae which burrow vertically about 1.5cm beneath the inner surface of the bark.
When fully grown during the autumn, the larva constructs an exit by gnawing a
tunnel leading back towards the bark. This outer layer is left intact, and is
only ruptured when the pupa is extruded.
The challenge now is to try and find the adult moth in July! Thanks to David Hopkins for the photo of this specimen in Cambridgeshire.
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