Lepidoptera140 species

Family Clearwing Moths (Sesiidae)

Sesiidae is a family in the order Lepidoptera. Browse 140 named species recorded in this family, or open an individual profile for its available identification and natural-history information.

Species in Sesiidae (140)

Virginia Creeper Clearwing

Albuna fraxini

Albuna fraxini, the Virginia creeper clearwing, is a moth of the Sesiidae family. It is known from the northern United States and southern Canada.

Fireweed Clearwing Moth

Albuna pyramidalis

Albuna pyramidalis, the fireweed clearwing moth, is a species of clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae.

Alcathoe autumnalis - Hodges#2622.1

Alcathoe autumnalis

Adult is a remarkably good mimic of Pompiliid spider wasps.

Clematis Borer - Hodges#2622

Alcathoe carolinensis

Males respond to (E,Z)-3,13-ODDA and blended (E,Z)-3,13-ODDA/(Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA sex attractants. ,

Clematis Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2623 - Hodges#2623

Alcathoe caudata

Identification: Adult - variable, with 4 different appearances. Males have a long slender appendage extending from the eigth abdominal segment. Larvae are parasitized by the Ichneumon wasp Bracon sanninoideae . ( 4 )

Six-belted Clearwing

Bembecia ichneumoniformis

Wingspan 15 to 21 mm. It gets its name from the six yellowish bands on the abdomen and has mostly transparent wings, only edged in scales. When adding a record please state whether a pheromone lure was used. Inhabits various locations where the food

Arizona Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2595

Carmenta auritincta

Identification: Adult - see Engelhardt in Print References.

Carmenta engelhardti - Hodges#2598

Carmenta engelhardti

Identification: Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References. This species resembles several other species in southern Arizona. I have collected this species on Brickellia foliage found along small creeks in the Patagonia and Huachuca Mountain

Carmenta giliae - Hodges#2599

Carmenta giliae

Identification: Adult - see Engelhardt description and figures in Print References and E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum page in Internet References.

Ithaca Clearwing Moth

Carmenta ithacae

Carmenta ithacae is a moth of the Sesiidae family. It was described by William Beutenmüller in 1897. It is known from North America, including Florida, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Carmenta mariona - Hodges#2601

Carmenta mariona

Identification: Adult - see Engelhardt in Print References. Carmenta mariona is one of the scarcest clearwing moths in collections.

Coronopus Borer Moth - Hodges#2602

Carmenta mimuli

Identification: Adult - forewings largely transparent with wide, black distal margin powdered in orange. Has orange discal spot. Females with yellow-orange labial palpi and generally more orange on the forewings. The dark form is the typical form of

Carmenta odda - Hodges#2603

Carmenta odda

Identification: Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References.

Carmenta pallene - Hodges#2605

Carmenta pallene

This small Carmenta species was originally described from Tabasco, Mexico. The first U.S. record was reported from near Portal, Arizona in 1978 (MONA 5.1 Sesioidea/Sesiidae by Eichlin & Duckworth 1988). Our specimens were collected much farther west

Mistletoe Borer - Hodges#2606

Carmenta phoradendri

Identification: Adult - see Engelhardt in Print References.

Mesquite Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2607

Carmenta prosopis

Identification: Adult - see Engelhardt in Print References.

Boneset Borer Moth

Carmenta pyralidiformis

Carmenta pyralidiformis, the boneset borer, is a moth of the Sesiidae family. It was described by Walker in 1856. It is known from the United States, including Arkansas, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio and Virg

Carmenta rubricincta - Hodges#2610

Carmenta rubricincta

This is one of the rarest clearwing moths in the southwest. ( 4 )

Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612

Carmenta suffusata

Identification: Engelhardt original description. Males attracted to pheromone bait (E,Z 3, 13-ODDOH). William H. Taft reports the species as rare.

Carmenta tildeni - Hodges#2617.1

Carmenta tildeni

Carmenta tildeni - Hodges#2617.1 (Carmenta tildeni) is a species in the family Sesiidae, commonly known as clearwing moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Sesiinae, tribe Synanthedoni

Carmenta verecunda - Hodges#2615

Carmenta verecunda

Identification: Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References.

Carmenta wellerae - Hodges#2617

Carmenta wellerae

Identification: Adult - similar to other Carmenta from the southwest but with orange powdering on the antennae, large pale yellow or white area on the ventral abdomen, and white tarsal segments on the hind legs. See Duckworth & Eichlin description in

Squash Vine Borer

Eichlinia cucurbitae

The squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae) is a diurnal species of sesiid moth. The moth is often mistaken for a bee or wasp because of its movements, and the bright orange hind leg scales. The females typically lay their eggs at the base of leaf st

Glorious Squash Vine Borer - Hodges#2540

Eichlinia gloriosa

Identification: Male & Female both: Melittia gloriosa Hy. Edwards Det. R. S. Fleischer

Eichlinia grandis - Hodges#2539

Eichlinia grandis

Identification: Melittia grandis (Strecker) - female Det. R. E. Fleischer, 2010 The host of this large moth is Curcurbita foetidissima . I have captured this moth in both southwest Kansas and southern Arizona but it is also found in California, Texas

Gaura Borer - Hodges#2534

Euhagena emphytiformis

Identification: Adult - see Engelhardt in Print References.

Euhagena nebraskae - Hodges#2535

Euhagena nebraskae

Identification: Adult - forewing orangish-red, outlined in black, and with broad black PM line; hindwing similar color with black discal spot; fringe on both wings prominent, dusky; antennae long, thick, black, pectinate; head and thorax covered with

Burrowbush Borer Moth - Hodges#2626

Hymenoclea palmii

Identification: Eichlin description is is available in PDF. The original description as Sesia palmii Beutenmüller, and the Engelhardt revised description as Hymenoclea palmii are both available online in the print references below. Sexually dimorphic

Osminia donahueorum - Hodges#2545.1

Osminia donahueorum

Identification: Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References. These tiny and uncommon clearwing moths sit on a small legumes ( Coursetia caribaea ) found under the live oaks on the side hills of Madera Canyon in early August (William H. Taft).

Osminia ruficornis - Hodges#2545

Osminia ruficornis

Identification: Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References. Responds well to the sex attractant E,Z 2,13- octadecadien-1-ol alcohol. ( 4 )

Palmia praecedens - Hodges#2587

Palmia praecedens

Identification: Adult - the lemon yellow abdomen is a key characteristic.

Oak Stump Borer Moth - Hodges#2522

Paranthrene asilipennis

Identification: Larva - white body with brown head, light brown thoracic shield and blackish mandibles.

Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523

Paranthrene dollii

Identification: Adult - an excellent mimic of the red paper wasp. Larva - body white to light pink, head and thoracic shield brown. Uncommon, but widespread in Texas

Paranthrene fenestrata - Hodges#2525 - Hodges#2525

Paranthrene fenestrata

Identification: Adult - There are two color forms, one with mostly black wings and a red-orange and black body and another form with red-orange wings and black body. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) Males respond well to ZZA pheromone baits. ( 3 )

Pin Oak Clearwing - Hodges#2527.1

Paranthrene pellucida

Identification: Adult - the lack of scaling on the forewing is a key feature. Larva - grayish body, brown head and light brown thoracic shield. Large numbers of moths have been taken with ZZA pheromone lures in July in Michigan. Males very active bet

Western Poplar Clearwing - Hodges#2526

Paranthrene robiniae

Identification: Adult - colored almost exactly like a paper wasp. Mostly yellow, first three abdominal segments black. Head is black, with yellow facial scales. FW orange brown with darker veins; HW clear with a deep yellow discal mark, fringed with

Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527

Paranthrene simulans

Identification: Adult - closely resembles a queen southern yellowjacket, Vespula squamosa . Larva - purple-brown with black head and yellow-brown thoracic shield. Prominent elliptical spiracles.

Dusky Clearwing - Hodges#2524

Paranthrene tabaniformis

Identification: Larva - ivory with pale yellow-brown head. Dorsal surface yellowish with two brown furrows that converge at the head. Spriracles elliptical and prominent. ( 4 )

Raspberry Crown Borer - Hodges#2513

Pennisetia marginatum

Identification: Adult - resembles a yellow jacket. Body black with some yellow streaking and four or more narrow yellow bands around abdomen; legs dull yellow; forewing dark olive and reddish-brown with prominent dark discal bar; antennae black, pect

Penstemonia clarkei - Hodges#2618

Penstemonia clarkei

Identification: Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin description and Engelhardt figures in Print References.

Penstemon Borer - Hodges#2620

Penstemonia edwardsii

Identification: Adult - see Engelhardt in Print References. Adults respond to (Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA pheromone lures (Meyer & Cranshaw, 1994).

Banded Ash Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2588

Podosesia aureocincta

Identification: Drooz stated Podosesia aureocincta can be distinguished from Podosesia syringae by the narrow, orange-yellow, partial band on the fourth abdominal segment. Albu mentioned wide year to year fluctuations in population for many species i

Lilac Borer - Hodges#2589

Podosesia syringae

Identification: Adult - a yellow color variation is found in the northern states and Canada (William H. Taft). Genitalia: Larva - body white with amber head, thoracic shield and spiracles. ( 3 ) Adults respond to (Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA (and blends) pheromon

Fiery Clearwing

Pyropteron chrysidiforme

Pyropteron chrysidiforme, the fiery clearwing, is a moth of the Sesiidae family. It is found in Europe, more specifically in Spain, Portugal, Majorca, southern England, Belgium, France, Corsica, Sardinia, Italy and southern Germany.

Persimmon Borer - Hodges#2590

Sannina uroceriformis

Identification: The original description is available online in the print references below. Engelhardt revised description is available in PDF. Adult : bluish black and wasp-like, with a distinctive orange band across the abdomen, though may be lacki

Hornet Moth

Sesia apiformis

Wingspan 33 to 48 mm. Rather similar to the Lunar Hornet Moth, this species can easily be distinguished by the yellow head and tegulae. A good photograph is generally required to support your record and state whether pheromone lure used. The moths em

Lunar Hornet Moth

Sesia bembeciformis

Wingspan 32 to 42 mm. One of several similar 'mimic' species, known as Clearwings, this is one of the largest. When adding a record please state whether a pheromone lure was used. Best looked for in July, as the adults emerge and rest low down on the

Sesia spartani - Hodges#2543.1

Sesia spartani

Identification: Adult - see Eichlin & Taft in Print References.

American Hornet Moth - Hodges#2543

Sesia tibiale

In flight they closely resemble wasps, even producing the droning sound. Strongly attracted to (Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA/(E,Z)-3,13-ODDA/(Z,Z)-3,13-ODDOH blended pheromone lures (Meyer & Cranshaw, 1994).

Sophona snellingi - Hodges#2513.2

Sophona snellingi

Identification: Adult - see Eichlin (p.135, f.3) in Print References.

Maple Callus Borer Moth

Synanthedon acerni

Synanthedon acerni, the maple callus borer, is a moth of the Sesiidae family. It is found in Western Canada.

Red Maple Borer - Hodges#2546

Synanthedon acerrubri

Identification: Larva - body dull white, deeply segmented, with brown head that is wider than long.

Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570

Synanthedon albicornis

Identification: Larva - body white with brown head, light brown cervical shield with curved lines. Males respond well to Z-ODDA pheromone baits.

Synanthedon alleri - Hodges#2557

Synanthedon alleri

Identification: Adult - a melanistic form accounts for 5% of specimens in Florida.

Orange-tailed Clearwing

Synanthedon andrenaeformis

When adding a record please state whether a pheromone lure was used. Usually found on chalk downland, preferring the edges of woodland. The adults fly in May and June, but are very difficult to locate unless a lure is used. The larva lives for two ye

Northern Willow Clearwing - Hodges#2559

Synanthedon bolteri

Responds well to Z-ODDA pheromone baits - 99:1 (E,Z)-2,13-ODDA/(Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA (Taft, 2005).

Synanthedon canadensis - Hodges#2560

Synanthedon canadensis

Identification: Adult - orange anal tuft easily distinguish this moth.

Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577

Synanthedon castaneae

Identification: Larva - body white with brown head and light brown thoracic shield and spriracles. ( 3 ) Re-discovered in the 1980's in Connecticut using pheromone lures and has since been collected all along the east coast to Florida. This specimen

Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561

Synanthedon culiciformis

Identification: Larva - body light colored with dark brown head and light brown thoracic shield. ( 3 ) Adults attracted to (Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA and (Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA/(E,Z)-3,13-ODDA/(Z,Z)-3,13-ODDOH blended pheromone lures (Meyer & Cranshaw, 1994).

Oak Gall Borer - Hodges#2571

Synanthedon decipiens

Identification: Adult - see Solomon in Print References. Adults attracted to (Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA and (Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA/(E,Z)-3,13-ODDA/(Z,Z)-3,13-ODDOH blended pheromone lures (Meyer & Cranshaw, 1994).

Synanthedon dominicki - Hodges#2562

Synanthedon dominicki

Identification: Adult - male: see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References. Female: see Brown, Eichlin & Snow.

Sallow Clearwing

Synanthedon flaviventris

One of the smallest British clearwings with a wingspan of 17 to 20 mm. Similar in appearance to Currant Clearwing, but Sallow Clearwing has an all black thorax - Currant Clearwing has yellow marks on the thorax. Good photographs and/or the specimen r

Red-tipped Clearwing

Synanthedon formicaeformis

Wingspan 17 to19 mm. This moth derives its English name from the reddish patches at the tips of the forewings. When adding a record please state whether a pheromone lure was used. The species inhabits fens, marshes and other damp localities. Larvae f

Pecan Bark Borer - Hodges#2547

Synanthedon geliformis

Identification: Adult - see Brown & Mizell and/or Engelhardt in Print References. , Larva - white with a darker line on each side of the prothoracic shield, head more wide than long.

Synanthedon helenis - Hodges#2564

Synanthedon helenis

Identification: Adult: forewing mostly hyaline (clear) except for dark brownish-black scales on veins; discal bar prominent, slanted slightly toward apex, and has a few orange scales mixed with mostly black ones; outer half of area between discal bar

Ceanothus Borer - Hodges#2580

Synanthedon mellinipennis

Identification: Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References.

Red-belted Clearwing

Synanthedon myopaeformis

When adding a record please state whether a pheromone lure was used. Allotments, orchards, gardens and woodland. They occur from June to early August. The moths fly during the day but are not often seen, except by the use of pheromone lures. The larv

Douglas-Fir Pitch Moth - Hodges#2584

Synanthedon novaroensis

Identification: See Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References.

Lesser Peachtree Borer - Hodges#2550

Synanthedon pictipes

Identification: Adult male has yellow scales on top of head between the eyes, and black scales between the antennae, which differentiates if from male Peachtree Borer (see See Also section below).

Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585

Synanthedon pini

Identification: Larva - body white with a light brown head. (Kellicott, 1881). It is found rarely in insect collections and museums. Trees with active larvae have pitch mass swellings on the tree trunk with a white, powdery appearance. ,

Willow Borer - Hodges#2572

Synanthedon proxima

Identification: Adult - apical third to half of antennae white, and basal portion black; body all black except broken yellow collar at back of head, and yellow dorsolateral stripes on thorax; legs black with white rings at joints. Larva - white with

Apple Bark Borer - Hodges#2565

Synanthedon pyri

Identification: Adult - female: antenna pale yellow on apical half; fourth abdominal segment with broad yellow band; anal tuft brushlike with yellow laterally (MONA fascicle 5.1). Larva - creamy white with brown head (head wider than long), covered i

Red-Lined Clearwing - Hodges#2566

Synanthedon refulgens

Meyer & Cranshaw caught them on (E,Z)-2,13-ODDA/(Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA blended pheromone lures (Meyer & Cranshaw, 1994).

Sycamore Borer - Hodges#2582

Synanthedon resplendens

Identification: Adult - see descriptions by Duckworth & Eichlin and Solomon, as well as Engelhardt figures, available in Print References. Larva - body pinkish white to dark pink, head reddish brown. Regarding the potential management of trees infest

Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551

Synanthedon rhododendri

Identification: The original description as Sesia rhododendri Beutenmueller is available online in the print references below. "The key to this species is the yellow posterior banding on abdominal segment 2, 4, and 5." William H. Taft Please see note

Florida Oakgall Moth - Hodges#2573

Synanthedon sapygaeformis

Identification: Larva - white with brown head and spiracles. ( 3 )

Sequoia Pitch Moth - Hodges#2586

Synanthedon sequoiae

Identification: See Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References.

Willow Clearwing - Hodges#2569

Synanthedon sigmoidea

Identification: Larva - body white, brown head and thoracic shield. Woodpeckers prey on the larvae.

Currant Clearwing

Synanthedon tipuliformis

A rather small species with a wingspan of 17-20 mm. When adding a record please state whether a pheromone lure was used. Tends to be found around allotments, gardens and other similar places where the larval foodplant is present. The larvae of this s

Yellow-legged Clearwing

Synanthedon vespiformis

Wingspan 18 to 20 mm. Another wasp-mimic getting its name from its noticeable yellow legs. A good photograph is generally required to support your record. When adding a record please state whether a pheromone lure was used. To be seen in areas where

Viburnum Clearwing - Hodges#2556

Synanthedon viburni

Identification: Larva - body pinkish white to dark pink with reddish brown head.

Vitacea admirandus - Hodges#2528

Vitacea admirandus

Identification: Adult - resembles Polistes paper wasps. This species was practically unknown before synthetic pheromones, only three specimens in major collections for the first 100 years. It is now known throughout Texas, and is exquisitely sensitiv

Vitacea cupressi - Hodges#2529

Vitacea cupressi

Identification: Engelhardt revised description is in PDF. ♂ ♀

Grape Root Borer - Hodges#2530

Vitacea polistiformis

Identification: Adult - excellent mimic of a paper wasp.

Lesser Grape Root Borer - Hodges#2531

Vitacea scepsiformis

Identification: Adult - hindwing, which is not visible, is key to positive identification. We will never really know since the HW fold(CuP)is really hidden. Both P.dollii and V. scepsiformis are closely related (same tribe) and are variable within th