Insect / Lepidoptera / moth

The Hornet moth, Sesia apiformis, found at Mildenhall, Suffolk, England in June 1982.

The Hornet moth, Sesia apiformis, is a large, clearwing moth often seen in parkland, marshy areas and other open habitats. Its similarity to hornets, both in colouration and the jerky flight pattern when disturbed, is an example of Batesian mimicry where a harmless species has evolved to resemble an unpalatable species in order to confuse would-be predators.

After mating, the female moth may lay its eggs near the base of old or isolated poplar trees. After hatching, the emerging larvae bore into, and feed on, the wood, living in galleries beneath the bark. The larvae will overwinter for several years before pupating and eventually emerging as adults during June / July months.

Image of the adult Hornet moth HMCMS:Bi2007 11 3999.1