382 Six Belted Clearwing - Bembecia ichneumoniformis.

Photographed at Chellaston Brick Pits Local Nature reserve, Derby - 12th August, 2005
By Bill Grange.

This wasp-mimic was discovered clinging to the underside of a beating-tray which had been left on the ground for a while, during a very showery afternoon. I think you can see that the insect looks as wet as I was on that day.

I was conducting an insect survey of the reserve at the request of management committee member, Helen Metcalf. I was surprised to learn recently that this species is Nationally scarce and this record is one of only three for Derbyshire. The last sighting was in 1990.

The six belted clearing is one of 14 species of British clearwing moths, so named because of the absence of scales over much of the wing surface. The six-belted is predominantly a southern species, the caterpillar feeding on the roots of bird�s-foot trefoil and kidney vetch.