General Comments:
Extremely local.
Formerly regarded as Absent, but since the creation and widescale availability of artificial pheromone lures for clearwing species it has become apparent that the moth is overlooked. However, it remains one of the rarer clearwings on our patch. All of our records are from the year 2020 onwards. We need to look for larval galls on sallows.

Hertfordshire Notes:

The first county record is from Ware on 22 July 2020 (Liz Goodyear) with gen det by Graeme Smith and confirmation by Colin Plants who writes, 'There are 3 key features (only) to consider and these also eliminate European look-alikes. 1: Inner edge of each eye with vertical line of white scales (view from front); 2; entire surface of sternite 4 (ventral or under-side) yellow scaled (other species may have a yellow distal edge or stripe; 3. In males (which is all you will get in a pheromone trap) the anal tuft is entirely black viewed from above (other species may have yellow areas). If all 3 are satisfied AND you are sure it is a Synanthedon species, then this is SALLOW. Photographers note - that is 3 different shots required! Other characters, NOT DIAGNOSTIC, include it is a fairly small moth, with the clear area towards the wing tip taller than wide. At various angles, the black areas of the forewing appear reddish. Mid and hind femora black scaled; mid and hind tibia yellow scaled. Labial palpi black (this specimen) or sometimes shown pale yellowish underneath in the literature. Top of thorax (above level of wing insertions) black (including "shoulder pads"). Sides of thorax each with 2 yellow areas. Collar (narrow ring between head and thorax), black in this specimen, but shown yellow in some literature examples [this might require checking]. Entirely new to our area and the the entire East Anglian Region. I NEED TO SEE PHOTOS OR SPECIMENS OF FURTHER CANDIDATES, PLEASE. Similar CURRANT CLEARWING has yellow on top of thorax, at least 4 yellow abdominal stripes, yellow palpi and the apical clear area of the wing is wider than tall.'

Middlesex Notes:

A trickle of recent reports, all from the year 2022 suggest that this species may be doing quite well in the extreme north-west of the Middlesex vice-county. All the records are made at artificial pheromone lures and this recording method is surely well worth repeating in 2024.

	Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 7 (17%) of 41 10k Squares. First Recorded in 2020. Last Recorded in 2022. Additional Stats

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