Synanthedon tipuliformis, Currant Clearwing

Common Name: Currant Clearwing

Synanthedon tipuliformis, more commonly known as the Currant Clearwing, has a wingspan of 17-20 mm and is a rather small species of clearwing, with yellow collar and three (female, see above) or four (male) yellow cross-bands, and is on the wing in the UK between late May and July.

Like the other species in this family the wings have a transparent window with dark-coloured wing tips. The larvae feed internally on the shoots of redcurrant and blackcurrant bushes (Ribes sp.), and therefore tends to be found around fruit farms, allotments and suburban gardens. It is widely distributed throughout England and Wales, extending into parts of Scotland, but is not especially common anywhere.

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