Clearwing moths have a certain mystique about them. All are day-flying and brightly coloured but despite that they are rarely seen and recorded. Of the 15 species found in GB 6 occur in Scotland but only 4 have been found in D&G all of which emerge around this time of year.
Of these the most widespread and commonest is the large, wasp mimic, the Lunar Hornet Moth which has been found in all three Vice-counties. Its caterpillar lives in the trunks of large willows and the oval emergence holes low down on the tree is often the easiest way of finding this moth.
The rarest is the Currant Clearwing with only record from Gretna in 1938 despite being a pest of commercial currant bushes elsewhere where the caterpillar bores in the pith of currant branches. Close behind is the Red-tipped Clearwing which has 7 records from around Dumfries and in the Machars of Wigtownshire and not found elsewhere in Scotland. This is another moth living in willows but in this case burrowing just beneath the bark. However, no moths have been seen since the 1940s!
The final species is the Thrift Clearwing which, as a caterpillar, lives in the roots and stems of Thrift. The adults visit the flowers of the Thrift and those of some other seaside plants with a fast, hovering flight. This particular one still has some of the yellowish scales on its wings which will drop off as the moth flies about.
As expected the 40 plus records are all from the coastal fringe where Thrift is abundant. Sightings include the caterpillars and pupae found within thrift stems, the empty cases of emergent moths as well as the adults themselves.
Key to finding more about these moths is the very recent development of pheromone lures i.e. chemicals mimicking the smell given off by newly hatching female moths. Presently there are lures for the Thrift Clearwing (the moth photographed this year was attracted in this way), the Red-tipped Clearwing and the Currant Clearwing. However, as the latter two only just reach Scotland it may well be that they are no longer found here. But you never know….
