Carmenta odda - Hodges#2603
Carmenta odda
This record describes Carmenta odda (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance

Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Cossoidea
- Family
- Sesiidae (Clearwing Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sesiinae
- Tribe
- Synanthedonini
- Genus
- Carmenta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Southeastern coastal plain.
Geographic Range
There are records from South Carolina to Florida, and west to eastern Texas. , Type Location: Trenton, South Carolina.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Odda perhaps simply meaning "odd". The authors describe the male genatalia as "unlike any known species of Sessidae in North America."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Carmenta odda. 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 Carmenta odda - Hodges#2603 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Carmenta odda - Hodges#2603
What is Carmenta odda - Hodges#2603?
Carmenta odda - Hodges#2603 (Carmenta odda) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Carmenta odda - Hodges#2603?
Forewing length 9-10 mm.
How do you identify Carmenta odda - Hodges#2603?
Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References.
Where is Carmenta odda - Hodges#2603 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Southeastern coastal plain. |
| Range | There are records from South Carolina to Florida, and west to eastern Texas. , Type Location: Trenton, South Carolina. |
FROM LOOKING IT UP TO GETTING TO KNOW IT
Make sense of the bugs at home.50 household bug profiles for you. Photos, coloring, and activities for curious kids.


