Currant Clearwing moth

[Monkster]

As we don't have a garden we were delighted to be allocated our very own allotment and have now set to work to get it into some sort of order (well, some of us more than others as I seem to spend a lot of time wandering around aimlessly with my camera.....you know the feeling )
Anyway, we went up at mid morning last Friday and saw what I thought to be an unusual fly on a blackberry bush. When I zoomed in later I noticed the body looked more moth-like and with some help found it to be a clearwing moth.
I just thought I'd share it with you as I had not come across one before and thought it such a joy to see a moth in the daytime.



Suzanne

[nutmeg]

I've never seen a clearwing moth of any kind - fantastic find

[James M]

Wow fantasic find Suzanne! I've never seen a clearwing either . Just looking at UKMoths, it says the larvae feed on the shoots of black and red currants and so tend to be most often seen on allotments, so very fitting!

[Monkster]

Thanks Nutmeg.
I was quite excited to see it too.
I didn't even know they existed till this week but now I do I shall have to spend even more time up there.
Suzanne

[Monkster]

Hi James
Funnily enough we don't currently have any currant bushes in our allotment.....but both next doors do!
Lucky me, I get the benefits without the damage.
Hopefully I shall get to see more unusual insects as time passes. It's funny though as I only ever seem to see one of anything at the moment.
Suzanne