See also Moth of the Week (20/06/2023).

Identification

This is a small clearwing with a yellow collar and two fine yellow lines running along the thorax. The abdomen has a black tip and either three (female) or four (male) yellow cross-bands.

Recording Method.

A day-flying moth but rarely seen. Males are readily attracted to pheromone lures.

Life cycle

Overwinters as a larva within the main stem or a side stem of the foodplant. Larva August to April.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on cultivated and wild Black and Red Currant, less frequently on Gooseberry.

Habitat

Anywhere with the larval food plant present but commonly fruit fields, gardens and allotments.

History

Two specimens were caught on 18th July 1938 at Gretna (VC72) and are now at the National Museums Scotland.

Five were attracted to a pheromone lure on 22 June 2023 near Dalbeattie (VC 73), the first record since 1938.