Unusual insect

I wonder if anyone can help me out here please?

I'd parked my car today to take pictures. Just as I was about to get out and get my camera from the boot a flying insect trapped in the spiders web on my side mirror. Panicking to get my camera ( with wrong lens attached) I was hoping to get a shot before either the spider devoured it or it flew. I was to late, the spider emerged, but missed with it's attack and the insect struggled free.

The insect was about the size of a penny. A black body similar to a horse fly, but the wings were like a moth but bright red with tiny black/brown spots. I couldn't see whether it had a tail or not.

I'm so annoyed! If only I'd had the camera on the seat beside me.

 

http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/Moth/440/Moth.html?MothId=150

Hi Sheal have a look at this one

Spruce

 

No sorry Spruce, not that one. I don't think it was a moth. I thought it might be a firefly, but on investigation it's nothing like it. The wings were completely red apart from the tiny dark spots that were spread over them.

I'll investigate on the internet more tomorrow, I haven't the time now as I have to be out the door by 5.30pm. Road closures for MGP, Manx Motorcycle Grand Prix and I live on the course.

 

The first thing that sprung to my mind was the same as the creature that Spruce posted up, but that's been ruled out, so I have no idea. However I did once see a fight between a big juicy garden spider and a wasp. It was quite dramatic. I saw the spider try to get the fangs in, and I saw the wasp pivot and come in at the spider's belly with the sting. There was some to-ing and fro-ing and then the wasp escaped leaving the spider with a shattered ego.

 

The one that poped into my head was the Six Spotted Burnet Moth as you see it regularly round here

http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/Moth/440/Moth.html?MothId=143

 

That's more the one I was thinking of. We have loads round here. I thought Spruce's one was more or less the same thing.

 

Thanks but sorry, that one has red spots on black, the one I saw is red winged with black spots.

 

No it's not that Armandii. I'm almost certain it's not a moth at all. The wings when open were triangular and the corners were sharp and not round edged like a moth.

I've been checking site after site but I can't find anything like it, it's so frustrating. I wonder if it's worth going back to the area I saw it, as it took off it disappeared over a garden wall.

 

?Garden Tiger?

 

No it's not that either but thanks Jenny.

 

I know you said it wasn't a moth Sheal....but have you looked up Ruby Tiger moth

 

Thanks but definitely not that Loli. I'm 99% certain it's not a moth. I wish I could draw better, at least then it would give a better idea.