Apoda limacodes (Hufn.) (A. avellana Linn.) The Festoon
p52. Resident, very local and scarce. 91 Layer Wood, 1984 (AJD); 92 Berechurch/Layer-de-la-
Haye, small numbers in three localities in some or all of the years 1976-83 (JY); 02 north of
Colchester, two 1976 (JY); 1983, 1984 (BG).
Heterogenea asella (D. & S.) The Triangle
pl 32. No recent record.
SESIIDAE
The clearwings, so called because the wings of most species are almost devoid of scales, range from
very small to medium-size. The forewings are elongate and extremely narrow. These day-flying moths
cannot feed in the adult stage and closely resemble various species of Hymenoptera. The species are
monophagous or oligophagous and the larvae live burrowing inside the foodplant. Most species live in
the stems or branches of trees but others in the roots of herbaceous plants. They overwinter in the
larval stage and, usually, this stage lasts more than one year. The pupa is formed inside the larval
gallery and protrudes from it for the emergence of the moth.
Few lepidopterists would claim specialised knowledge of this family, the adults of which are rarely
seen and consequently most species are likely to have been under-recorded. Twelve of the fifteen
British species have been found in Essex of which nine are now resident
Sesia apiformis (Cl.) Hornet Moth
p53. Resident, fairly widespread and locally common.
Sesia bembeciformis (Hb.) (Sphecia bembeciformis) Lunar Hornet Moth
p54. Resident, local. 49 Epping Forest, 1979 (AJF); 40 Epping Forest, 1979; Wintry Wood,
1979 (AJF); 41 Harlow, 1979 (AJF); 51 near Takeley, 1981 (AJF); 67 Grays Chalk Quarry NR.
common, (DJLA); 62 Bardfield Saling, 1977 (AJF); 63 Little Bardfield, 1977 (AJF); 74 Belchamp
St Paul, 1983 (AME); 01 Fingringhoe Wick NR, 1975 (AJF).
Paranthrene tabaniformis (Rott.) (Sciapteron tabaniformis) Dusky Clearwing
pl32. No recent record.
Synanthedon tipuliformis (Cl.) (Aegeria tipuliformis) Currant Clearwing
p54. Resident, local; appears to have declined. 38 Walthamstow, 1980 (RD); 49 Loughton,
regular at low density (AJF); 58 Romford c.1980 (SL); 50 Ongar, 1983 (DCT); 67 Tilbury, 1984
(CP); 69 Ingrave, 1977 (KWG); 62 Bardfield Saling, 1983 (DCT); 12 Wix, 1976 (RM).
Synanthedon vespiformis (Linn.) (Aegeria vespiformis) Yellow-legged Clearwing
p54. Resident, local. 49 Epping Forest, 1980(MWH); 40 Harlow, 1976 (AJF); 41 Roydon, 1976
(AJF); 51 Matching, 1982 (AJF); 61 Garnetts Wood, 1979 (AME).
40