What’s happended to Orange-tailed Clearwing in Suffolk?

Orange-tailed Clearwing (Synanthedon andrenaeformis) was first recorded in Suffolk in June 2004 when Lee Gregory located a small population associated with Wayfaring-trees in a layby off the A11, just south of Barton Mills. More recently, one was re-identified from a photo taken at RSPB Lakenheath.

Most guides give the flight period as May to June but a web search shows that adults have been recorded well in to July so … with a bit of time on my hands this afternoon ….I thought I’d give Barton Mills another go. Sadly, it was the same old story. No clearwing. Maybe they’ve been and gone this year, maybe my pheromone lure has stopped working or, maybe, we’ve lost OTC from Suffolk. Time and weather permitting, I’ll keep trying but it’s not looking good.

Still, it wasn’t a completely wasted trip as I found several underside leaf mines, causing a strong fold, which look good for Phyllonorycter lantanella. All I’ve got to do now is try to breed them through.

 

 

 

 

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