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Synanthedon formicaeformis


Synanthedon formicaeformis
Photo Information
Copyright: Harm Alberts (Harm-digitaal) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 108 W: 7 N: 1843] (7005)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-10
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Moths of Europe 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-06-24 6:20
Viewed: 635
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Synanthedon formicaeformis / Red-tipped Clearwing / Wilgenwespvlinder / Kleiner Weidenglasflügler oder Ameisen-Glasflügler / Sésie fourmi.

Synanthedon formicaeformis (Esper, 1783)
Family: Sesiidae.

Clearwings are a poorly-known group of moths. The red-tipped clearwing is a day-flyer and can be easily overlooked as, with its see-through wings, it resembles a small wasp or fly.

-Its preferred habitats are fens, bogs and swamp with mature willows. This species feeds as a larvae inside the stems of various species of Salix, especially osier (S. viminalis).
-Best seen in June and July (flies between May and July).

Species description;
Resembles a parasitic wasp or fly with see-through wings and broad red wing tips. The body also has a single broad red band on the abdomen.

Life cycle
The grub-like larvae live and feed between the wood and bark of willow trees, often gaining entrance via a broken branch or stump. The adults emerge in June and July through a small exit hole. Once on the wing, the adult’s movements are poorly known, other than they have been seen nectaring at meadowsweet.

The main problem is being able to spot this species amongst the plethora of other flying insects in its preferred habitat.

Harm
jcoowanitwong, Matt-Bird, phlr, gracious, anel, meyerd has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Harm,
I think I have a picture of a relative of this moth waiting to pose. This is a crisp clear image with vivid colors. Very well done.
JC

I great shot and very good notes. I first looked at this and thought wasp. TFS

Hi Harm,
and again I'm impressed of your shots - those insects are never sitting still - I saw them in Italy - plenty of them were flying around me - but never sitting down. No chance to make a single shot ;-(
And not many butterflies there, I wonder why.
But I saw many dragonflies ;-)
Bye and greetings
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Hello Harm,
I loved this photo with great pov comes with sharpness, awesome colour and details
thanks for sharing
cheers
Tony

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1723 W: 0 N: 3903] (15686)
  • [2007-06-25 2:37]

Hello Harm,
Again a marvellous shot of a clearwing. Very nice to make them better known on TN. Thank's for it.
Einen schönen Tag wünscht
Anne

Hi Harm,
Nice photo. The moth is very interesting but the plant it is sitting on makes for a great BG and foreground. Good shot,
regards
Matt.

Dear Harm,
a wonderful portrait of a wonderful butterfly. I know that it is hard to spot one and even harder to take a picture of it what with the hectic movements. You did it, my congratulations!
Best regards,
Dietrich

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