Currant clearwing moth - Synanthedon tipuliformis - Family: Sesiidae

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Currant clearwing moth - Synanthedon tipuliformis
© Robin Chittenden www.harlequinpictures.co.uk

The currant clearwing moth is similar to the many of the other species of clearwing moth in Britain. It is very small, day-flying moth that is usually difficult to see because it is not at all moth-like in appearance, resembling instead a small wasp.

It has a brown body with three narrow yellow belts across the abdomen. The wings are mostly transparent and have orange patches on the end and orange edges. This moth has declined in recent years. The larvae feed in the pith of the stems of blackcurrant and redcurrant bushes, sometimes becoming a pest in areas where commercial production occurs, though this is unlikely to seriously affect garden situations. The current clearwing moth is found in gardens and allotments throughout England.

Food

Larvae: blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum), redcurrant (Ribes rubrum) and gooseberry.

Plants

Black currant, Gooseberry, Mountain currant

Predators

Common shrew, Spiders and harvestmen