Synanthedon tipuliformis
Currant Clearwing ( Synanthedon tipuliformis ) in mating
The Currant Clearwing ( Synanthedon tipuliformis ), formerly sometimes called gnats - clearwings, is a butterfly of the family of Clearwing ( Sesiidae ). The scientific name of the species derives from tipula = gnat.
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The moths have transparent wings, which are scaly only at the wing veins, the Diskalfleck and the wing edges. The scales shine in blue-black tones. The moths reach a wingspan of 10-20 millimeters. In the region of the apex of the fore wings are weakly developed reddish or yellowish longitudinal stripes. In the middle of an elongated black brown Diskalfleck can be seen running from the front to the back edge. The hind wings have a narrow dark Saumbinde and a small black brown Diskalfleck. The antennae are black and dusted yellow on the bottom. The black thorax is provided laterally with yellow stripes. In the segments of two, four, six and seven of the abdomen are black in males thin yellow rings. Female moths show on segments two, four and six equally colored rings. The anal tuft are strongly developed fan-shaped and blue-black color.
Similar Species
There is a great similarity to the following species:
- Winder Clearwing ( Synanthedon spuleri )
- Old oaks - Clearwing ( Synanthedon conopiformis )
- Fir Clearwing ( Synanthedon cephiformis )
- Willow gall - Clearwing ( Synanthedon flaviventris )
- Mistletoe Clearwing ( Synanthedon loranthi )
A reliable determination of the species should be done by specialists, since the differences in appearance are very low.
Geographical distribution and occurrence
The Currant Clearwing is distributed locally in Europe. However, it is missing on the Iberian Peninsula. Towards the east extends the area of distribution and Russia to Siberia and Central Asia. To Australia, New Zealand and the USA, he was introduced. Main habitat of the species are bushland, forest edges, heathlands, grasslands, vineyards, orchards and ruderal areas.
Way of life
The diurnal moths fly during the months of May to August at higher elevations and into September. They are particularly active in the sunshine. Then you like to visit the flowers of various plants. The maggot-like caterpillar live mostly annuals into the medullary tubes of shoots from older berry bushes, particularly Red Currant ( Ribes rubrum), Black Currant ( Ribes nigrum ), gold - currant ( Ribes aureum ), alpine currant ( Ribes alpinum) or gooseberry (Ribes uva- crispa ). In orchards, they can sometimes appear harmful. They overwinter and pupate in the spring in the shoots of the food plant.
Endangering
In Germany the currant clearwing moth is found in all states and is classified on the red list of threatened species as not at risk.