Lunar Hornet Moth

On a visit to Ferry Meadows Mike (World of Nature) Weedon and I came across what at first sight appeared to be a Hornet. Such a beast would naturally attract our attention as we tried to get a closer look it became apparent that this was no ordinary Hornet. In fact is wasn't a Hornet at all but one of the clearwing moths. This is the Lunar Hornet Moth, a large Hornet mimic that lays its eggs in Willows, where the larvae burrow into the wood.

Lunar Hornet Moth Sesia bembeciformis

Video grab.