Orange-tailed Clearwing - Synanthedon andrenaeformis

Wingspan 18 to 22 mm.

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Usually found on chalk downland, preferring the edges of woodland.

The adults fly in May and June, but are very difficult to locate unless a lure is used.

The larva lives for two years or more, boring into the stems of the Wayfaring-tree and Guelder-rose.

This species occurs in central southern England. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain Orange-tailed Clearwing was classified as Nationally Scarce B, but the introduction of an effective pheromone lure for this species has shown it to be more common than previously thought.

Previously believed to be very uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, but the introduction of an effective pheromone lure for this species has shown it to be more common in our area than previously thought.