LepidopteraSesiidae – Clearwing Moths

Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612

Carmenta suffusata

This record describes Carmenta suffusata (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612 - Carmenta suffusata
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy

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

Identification notes

Engelhardt original description.

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

Geographic Range

Western Kansas to Texas, east to Florida.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Carmenta suffusata. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612 (5)

Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612 - photo 1
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612 - photo 2
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612 - photo 3
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612 - photo 4
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612 - photo 5
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy

Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy

Frequently Asked Questions About Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612

What is Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612?

Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612 (Carmenta suffusata) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612?

Engelhardt listed the wingspan of males 16 mm and females 18 mm. Forewing length 5-9 mm.

How do you identify Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612?

Engelhardt original description.

Where is Carmenta suffusata - Hodges#2612 found?

Range: Western Kansas to Texas, east to Florida.

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.