Six-belted Clearwing

Appearance

The wingspan of ''Bembecia ichneumoniformis'' can reach 15–21 millimetres. The body of these moths is black, with six yellow narrow transversal bands in males , while the females may have only five yellow bands. Antennae are relatively thick. In males they are usually black, while in the females they may be either black with an ocher band or basically ocher with a black apex. The front wings show a yellowish or orange apex, a yellow orange spot separating two transparent areas and brownish orange margins. The abdominal brush is black with yellow lines. Legs are yellow.

Rather similar species are ''Pyropteron muscaeformis'', ''Bembecia scopigera'' and ''Bembecia albanensis''.

Like all the moths of the family Sesiidae, this species is similar in appearance and flight to a hymenopteran more than to a lepidopteran. The wings are partially free of scales and narrower and more elongated than those of other butterfly families. In fact the Latin name ''ichneumoniformis'' means that its shape and colors, as well as the structure of its wings, evokes certain ichneumonids, not a butterfly.

It is likely that the alternating yellow and black bands protects this species from certain predators that associate these colors with those of insects with darts and venom such as wasps and bees.

Distribution

This species can be found in most of Europe and Asia Minor, the Caucasus, northern Iran and the Near East.

Behavior

Adults are on wing from June to August in western Europe. It is a day-flying species.

The larvae feed on the roots of ''Lotus'' species and ''Anthyllis vulneraria''. Other recorded food plants include ''Lotus corniculatus'', ''Ononis spinosa'', ''Dorycnium pentaphyllum'', ''Dorycnium germanicum'', ''Dorycnium herbaceum'', ''Dorycnium hirsutum'', ''Medicago'', ''Hippocrepis comosa'', ''Lupinus polyphyllus'', ''Tetragonolobus maritimus'' and ''Lathyrus pratensis''.

The caterpillar may be parasitized by other insects, particularly by ''Tachinidae'' species .

Males are attracted by certain molecules, some of which also attract other species of butterflies .

Habitat

''Bembecia ichneumoniformis'' prefers calcareous soils, sea-cliffs and quarries.