This wee tim’rous beastie is a currant clearwing moth (Synanthedon tipuliformis). According to the Butterfly Conservation site that link in the previous sentence points to, it is a day flying moth, widely distributed across most of Great Britain but relatively scarce. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one before but we had two on the inside of our kitchen window yesterday, of which this was the one in an easier to photograph position (yes, that bit of the window does appear to be ripe for a spring clean!).

Inside the window? I suspect their larvae or pupae came in with the three bundles of cuttings I took from an ornamental currant and a couple of fruiting blackcurrants. They were mainly intended for winter decoration but, put in jars of water, many of the stems have formed decent roots and I hope to multiply my currant collection (some potted up in the polytunnel and the others to attend to).

I tend not to be too kind to creatures that could be classified as plant pests but I’ve not noticed my outside plants particularly suffering and these are beautiful looking little bugs. The online information suggests they normally take to the wing in May or June so putting them carefully outside probably hasn’t given them the prospect of an extended lifecycle – cold weather, hungry birds or the lack of suitable food sources will probably do for them. And, if not, then at least I’ll probably get to see them again although I will be monitoring my currant bushes a bit more carefully.