Large Red-belted Clearwing       Yellow-legged Clearwing
52.008 BF0380  – Red-tipped clearwing  – Synanthedon formicaeformis  – (Esper, 1782)
Adult Macro:  CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species – Good photographs maybe required – Can be confused with other species      
PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce        day-flying – Day-flying
Taxonomy:   Macro  >>.  >>  Sesiidae  >> Sessiinae
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Large Red-belted Clearwing
ID pointers: The moth is fairly straight forward to identify – Notable red patches at the tips of the forewings and a red band around the centre of the abdomen.
Distribution:  (Last record: 19 July 2024 at Norton Lees )  –  With the increased use of pheromone lures, this species has been recorded more frequently. Several were attracted to pheromone lures at Kings Newton – July 1st & 2nd 2017. Recorded from three sites in 2022 by Melanie Penson during July, with a site near Ilkeston being very productive, with 9 males were attracted using a pheromone lure. In 2023 eight individuals were recorded from three sites.
General Comment: None Flight Period: May /  June /  July –  On the wing May – July.  – but can be disturbed during the day Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 15 January 2026 by TD ***
Forewing: 9-11mm Food Plant: Osiers and other willows
Males attracted to various pheromone lures
Last Recorded Year: 2024
Last Recorded By – Malcolm Tait
Last Recorded General Area – Norton Lees
Selected Images:  Kings Newton, Derbyshire – 1st & 2nd July 2017 – Tony Davison ©

Red-tipped Clearwing
Red-tipped Clearwing
Red-tipped Clearwing


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Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1991 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
 

Distribution Map for Synanthedon formicaeformis

Found 36 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 25 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 11 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.


NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Synanthedon formicaeformis

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Note – the NBN Atlas datasets are listed in the map below and vary in their currency (uptodateness) – however, the map does give a general indication of the moth's distribution across the UK.

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Monthly Records By Year: Synanthedon formicaeformis
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Synanthedon formicaeformis
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )

First/Last Recorded Dates: Synanthedon formicaeformis
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]

Shading shows moth presence between dates

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Recordings By Year: Synanthedon formicaeformis
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Synanthedon formicaeformis
AGR: 5.29%   |   Total % Change: 85.7%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Synanthedon formicaeformis
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Synanthedon formicaeformis

Flight Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's flight periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen in flight, from site observation records received between 2020-2026.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Synanthedon formicaeformis – 36 records available

Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns

Site NameTetradDateCountStageRecorderSourceRecordKey
Blackwell Trail.SK45I28/06/20254adultBradley, Jonathanvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42765398
Blackwell Trail.SK45I28/06/20254adultBradley, Jonathanvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42765436
Norton Lees, SheffieldSK38L02/06/20251adultMella, Petevc57_irecords_extractiBRC42008151
Forbes Hole LNR, Long Eaton - SSK43W20/05/20251AdultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC41701470
Forbes Hole LNRSK43W20/05/20251adultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC41716551
Markham Vale TipSK47R16/05/20251adultPenson, Melanievc57_irecords_extractiBRC41614353
Markham Vale South Tip , DerbyshireSK47K16/05/20251adultMorris, Sidvc57_irecords_extractiBRC41631330
Havercroft RoadSK38L19/07/20241AdultTait, Malcolmvc57_irecords_extractiBRC37631532
Norton Lees, Sheffield, UKSK38L26/06/20241AdultMella, Petevc57_irecords_extractiBRC36666341
Poolsbrook caravan site, Staveley, Derbys.SK47G25/06/20243adultRussell Nevinvc57_irecords_extractiBRC40095220
Pleasley Pit, willows nr visitor centreSK46X10/08/20235adultPenson, Melanievc57_irecords_extractiBRC32304728
Pleasley Pit, willows west of visitor centreSK46X10/08/20232adultPenson, Melanievc57_irecords_extractiBRC32304805
Straws Bridge Pond, IlkestonSK44K11/07/20231mine (empty)Penson, Melanievc57_irecords_extractiBRC31499120
Aston-on-Trent- Gravel PitsSK42J06/07/20231adultFrost, Royvc57_irecords_extractiBRC35829043
Ogston ReservoirSK36Q24/06/20231adultFrost, Royvc57_irecords_extractiBRC35829035
CresswellSK57G22/06/20232adultFrost,Royvc57_irecords_extractiBRC35829030
Williamthrope ReservoirSK46I18/06/20233adultFrost,Royvc57_irecords_extractiBRC35829004
Straw Bridge PondSK44K26/07/20221adultPenson, Melanievc57_irecords_extractiBRC27289751
Peewit CarrSK44K26/07/20221adultPenson, Melanievc57_irecords_extractiBRC27289793
Stanton LagoonSK43U26/07/20224adultPenson, Melanievc57_irecords_extractiBRC27289968
Stanton LagoonSK43U26/07/20221adultPenson, Melanievc57_irecords_extractiBRC27289996
Stanton LagoonSK43U26/07/20224adultPenson, Melanievc57_irecords_extractiBRC27290061
MeersbrookSK38M23/06/20211AdultWard, Clarevc57_irecords_extractiBRC20742842
Heanor and Loscoe, UKSK44I24/07/20201Adultlucyb_vc57_irecords_extractiBRC22372573
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y12/07/20204AdultSoar, Willvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34063172
Graves Park (Chantreyland Meadow), SheffieldSK38K06/07/20191adultMELLA, Mr P.J.Danes_2019-20211470
Graves Park, Sheffield SGT, United KingdomSK38K05/07/20191AdultMella, Petevc57_irecords_extractiBRC10885622
Norton LeesSK38L29/06/20191adultMELLA, Mr P.J.Danes_2019-20211532
Havercroft RoadSK38L22/06/20193AdultTait, Malcolmvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36367709
Kings Newton FieldsSK32Y02/07/20172AdultSoar, Willvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34063174
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y01/07/20171AdultSoar, Willvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34063173
Friargate, DerbySK33N16/06/20161adultPlant, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC3313294
Friargate, DerbySK33N16/06/20161adultPlant, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34545958
Hilton NR, Hilton, Burton on TrentSK23K26/07/20131AdultN.J. Wardvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKG3K
Willington (meadows), DerbySK32D10/07/19911AdultD. Whiteleyvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI12R
Willington (meadows), DerbySK32D10/07/19911AdultD.E. Whiteleyvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPE8S

Large Red-belted Clearwing       Yellow-legged Clearwing

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