Yellow-legged Clearwing (Synanthedon vespiformis)

As a Christmas present to myself I purchased “The Classic Ten Clearwing Pheromone Lures” from Anglian Lepidopterist Supplies, along with their Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia) lure. Planning on using them mainly at work to add a twist to the biological recording over the summer. I was also keen to see if I could coax a few clearwing moths onto the garden list.

I had never seen Emperor Moth and I had high expectations of using the lure on Target Hill - even convincing some of the volunteers to extend their working day and join me for a lure session. Despite extensive luring on the heath no Emperor moths were seen. In July exploring Iping Common for the first time with R & L, R noted an Emperor Moth larvae dead trackside. So I was to get to see this species after all, although in an entirely unsatisfactory way.

Emperor Moth caterpillar (deceased)
20.7.2025

To date, the only lure which I have had any success using is the Yellow-legged Clearwing (VES) lure with three (possibly 4) individuals being recorded on Target Hill adjacent to Oak (Quercus) stumps; and again today when a single Yellow-legged Clearwing was attracted to the lure when I set up in the plantation (again in the vicinity of Oak stumps).

Yellow-legged Clearwing
Buchan Country Park 27.7.2025