Synanthedon tipuliformis (Clerck, 1759)
(one synonym : Sphinx tipula)
Currant Borer
 SESIINAE ,   SESIIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley


(Photo: courtesy of Alain Fraval, INRA-DPEnv., France)

This Caterpillar originated in Europe, and was unfortunately introduced into Australia by accident. It is a cosmopolitan pest, attacking of members of the plant family SAXIFRAGACEAE :

  • Black Currants (Ribes nigrum),
  • Red Currants (Ribes rubrum), and
  • Gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa).

    It bores into the stems to feed, and in so doing damages the plant. The Caterpillar is a dirty white colour with a brown head. It grows to a length of about 2 cms.


    (Photo: courtesy of Markku Savela)

    The adult moth has a wingspan of about 2 cms. It has clear wings, and a black body with narrow yellow intersegmental bands on the abdomen.

    The Caterpillar is a pest now in:

  • France,
  • New Zealand,
  • Serbia,
  • U.K.,
    as well as Australia, including:
  • New South Wales, and
  • Tasmania.

    Control of this pest is possible using :

  • mating disruption with synthetic pheromones,
  • the nematode Neoaplectana bibionis ( STEINERNEMATIDAE ),
  • the nematode Steinernema feltiae ( STEINERNEMATIDAE ), and
  • the nematode Steinernema carpocapsae ( STEINERNEMATIDAE ).

    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pl. 7.7, pp. 68, 288, 290.

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    (updated 1 March 2009)