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SIX BELTED CLEARWING |
BEMBECIA ICHNEUMONIFORMIS |
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| Fig 1 |
ADULT: Wingspan - 15 - 22mm. At first glance this would appear to be a wasp or some such similar species. However this moth is easily identified with its six yellow bands around the black abdomen and the clear wings with orange scales on the tip and central bar. Remember though that the female has only 5 yellow bands on her abdomen. CHRYSALIS: Located in silk-lined larval tunnel from roots to surface. LARVA: Overwinters in this stage. Feeds in the roots of Birds-Foot Trefoil and sometimes covered in frass. BEHAVIOUR: Day flying. Attracted to pheromone lures. HABITAT: Rough grassy areas on chalk downland and calcerous sea-cliffs. FLIGHT PERIOD: Single brooded. June to August. STATUS: Local in the south. |