Sesiidae

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Sesiidae
Synanthedon tipuliformis.jpg
Synanthedon tipuliformis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Cossoidea
Family: Sesiidae
Boisduval, 1828
Type species
Sphinx apiformis
Clerck, 1759
Subfamilies

Sesiinae
Tinthiinae

Diversity
165 genera
1,525 species
Synonyms
  • Aegeriidae Stephens, 1828
  • Trochiliidae Westwood, 1843
Synanthedon tipuliformis, larva Synanthedon tipuliformis larva.jpg
Synanthedon tipuliformis, larva

The Sesiidae or clearwing moths are a diurnal moth family in the order Lepidoptera known for their Batesian mimicry in both appearance and behaviour of various Hymenoptera.

Contents

The family consists of 165 genera spread over two subfamilies, containing in total 1525 species and 49 subspecies, [1] most of which occur in the tropics, though there are many species in the Holarctic region as well, including over a hundred species known to occur in Europe. [2] : Backcover, 6 

Morphology

Sesiidae are characterized by their hymenopteriform [lower-alpha 1] Batesian mimicry, frequently of identifiable species. [2] : 11, 16  Most species of Sesiidae have wings with areas where scales are nearly completely absent, resulting in partial, marked transparency. [2] : 11  Forewings are commonly elongated and narrow in the basal half. [2] : 11  In many species, the abdomen is elongated, with an anal tuft, and striped or ringed yellow, red or white, [2] : 11  sometimes very brightly so. Legs are long, thin and frequently coloured, [2] : 11  and in some species the hind-legs are elongated. [3] In European species, the wing span ranges from 8 to 48 mm. [2] : 11 

Larvae lack pigment. Segments of the thorax are somewhat enlarged. [2] : 11 

Behaviour

The larvae of the Sesiidae typically bore in wood or burrow in plant roots. Many species are serious pests of fruit-tree or timber cultivation, or crop plants (e.g. Melittia spp. on squash) (Edwards et al., 1999). Larval development lasts 1–4 years, pupal stage 10–20 days. [2] : 16 

Adults are diurnally active. [3] [2] : 16  Movements, including flight, mimic those of Hymenoptera spp. [2] : 16  Specimens are commonly collected using pheromone lures. [3] [2] : 22 

Taxonomy

Related Research Articles

<i>Carmenta</i> (moth) Genus of moths

Carmenta is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

Trichocerota is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

Paradoxecia is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

Oligophlebia is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae, the clearwing moths. They are native to the Palearctic realm.

<i>Sesia</i> (moth) Genus of moths

Sesia is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

<i>Chamanthedon</i> Genus of moths

Chamanthedon is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

<i>Heterosphecia</i> Genus of moths

Heterosphecia is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae which is found from Borneo, Sumatra and South India. There are eight known species with few records, so consequently their conservation status is unknown.

<i>Melittia</i> Genus of moths

Melittia is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

Nokona is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

<i>Paranthrene</i> Genus of moths

Paranthrene is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

Pseudosesia is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

<i>Synanthedon</i> Genus of moths

Synanthedon is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

Ichneumenoptera is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

Paranthrenella is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

<i>Bembecia</i> Genus of moths

Bembecia is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

<i>Chamaesphecia</i> Genus of moths

Chamaesphecia is a genus of moths in the family Sesiidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tinthiinae</span> Subfamily of moths

The Tinthiinae are a subfamily of clearwing moths, first established in 1917 by Ferdinand Le Cerf.

References

  1. ↑ Hymenoptera + form: having the appearance of Hymenoptera species, such as wasps and hornets
  1. ↑ Pühringer, Franz (10 October 2021). "Checklist of the Sesiidae of the world (Lepidoptera: Ditrysia)" . Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Laštůvka, Zdeněk; Laštůvka, Aleš (2001). The Sesiidae of Europe. Stenstrup: Apollo Books. ISBN   8788757528.
  3. 1 2 3 Sadahisa, Yagi; Toshiya, Hirowatari; Yutaka, Arita (7 March 2016). "A remarkable new species of the genus Teinotarsina (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae) from Okinawa-jima, Japan". ZooKeys (571): 143–152. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.571.7780 . PMC   4829806 . PMID   27110163.
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