Yellow-legged Clearwing

Yellow-legged Clearwing - Synanthedon vespiformis

Description

Wingspan 18 to 20 mm. Another wasp-mimic getting its name from its noticeable yellow legs.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

To be seen in areas where Oak is present.

When to see it

Flies from May to July during the day.

Life History

The larvae feed internally on the wood of the foodplant Oak (Quercus).

UK Status

Yellow-legged Clearwing is distributed over the southern half of England, and was believed to be uncommon. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. However the introduction of an effective pheromone lure for this species has shown it to be more common than previously thought.

VC55 Status

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.

Reference
52.012 BF374

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

No additional images available for this species.

All NatureSpot records