52.007 BF381

Large Red-belted Clearwing Synanthedon culiciformis

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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Wingspan 23-27 mm.

Although generally larger than the similar Red-belted Clearwing, the sizes overlap and it is more easily distinguished by the orange-red suffusion at the base of the forewings.

The moth flies earlier in the year than many other clearwings, being on the wing in May and June.

The species inhabits heathland and woodland, where the host tree, birch (Betula abounds, and is known from much of mainland Britain.