Clematis Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2623 - Hodges#2623
Alcathoe caudata
This record describes Alcathoe caudata (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Cossoidea
- Family
- Sesiidae (Clearwing Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sesiinae
- Tribe
- Synanthedonini
- Genus
- Alcathoe
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern half of the US and Canada. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larva bore into the roots of Clematis and Ribes species. ,
Life History
Overwinters as larva.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Caudata from Latin caud, meaning "tailed." Adult males have a long tail-like appendage on the abdomen.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Alcathoe caudata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Clematis Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2623 - Hodges#2623 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by v belov , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Clematis Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2623 - Hodges#2623
What is Clematis Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2623 - Hodges#2623?
Clematis Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2623 - Hodges#2623 (Alcathoe caudata) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Clematis Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2623 - Hodges#2623?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan 25-32 mm, females larger than the males. |
| Forewing | Forewing length 7-15 mm. |
How do you identify Clematis Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2623 - Hodges#2623?
Adult - variable, with 4 different appearances. Males have a long slender appendage extending from the eigth abdominal segment.
Where is Clematis Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2623 - Hodges#2623 found?
Range: Eastern half of the US and Canada. ( 3 )
What does Clematis Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2623 - Hodges#2623 eat?
The diet of the Clematis Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2623 - Hodges#2623 includes Larva bore into the roots of Clematis and Ribes species. ,.
What is the life cycle of a Clematis Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2623 - Hodges#2623?
Overwinters as larva.