A sheep in wolf's clothing

This is the most impressive example of Batesian mimicry I have seen (= being disguised as something dangerous when you aren't).  Although it is called the Lunar Hornet Moth (Sesia bembeciformis), this looks much more like a giant wasp - hornets are mostly yellow and brown. Indeed, when you see several flying around your head it is difficult not to flinch at first.

Lunar hornet moths are fairly widespread but seldom seen.  Males can, however, be tempted into view with a pheromone lure which mimics the scent of a female moth.  The larvae live in willows and chew their way through the wood for two years before emerging for a brief life as a moth so willows are obviously the best place to find them.

Last weekend I joined Andy Atkinson and the NHSN moth group to look for these moths in Gosforth Nature Reserve.  Andy deployed the pheromone lure and two moths turned up within a few minutes.  As is usually the deal they had to pose for photos before being released.

I already had a lure and trap of my own so the next day I headed for another nearby nature reserve and deployed the lure just upwind of a patch of willows.  Within less than five minutes five or six moths appeared.  Lunar hornet moths are part of a group of clearwing moths and they even fly like wasps so the deception is nearly perfect.  A moth like this would make a tasty snack for a bird but no self-respecting bird would take the risk.  The moths also make a wonderful, very low-pitched thrum as they fly.

The pheromone is in a small vial which sits in a cage under the green lid of the trap. Moths fly under the lid and fall though a yellow funnel into the chamber below, or that's the plan.

Only two moths entered my trap while the others flew around or landed on the roof.

This one is in the lower part of the trap.

I was more interested in just watching them than catching them and belatedly had a go at a few flight shots.  Not easy.

As before, the two in the trap agreed to pose for photos before being released.

It is amazing to be able to summon these moths seemingly out of nowhere.  I think next time I try, probably next year, I'll concentrate on trying to get better photos of them in flight.