Carmenta wellerae - Hodges#2617
Carmenta wellerae
This record describes Carmenta wellerae (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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 Print References. Males respond to EZOH pheromone lures.
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
Mountains and foothills.
Geographic Range
Southern Arizona and Mexico (Duckworth & Eichlin, 1976). Type Location: Cuiteco, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly during the summer rains from late July to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Unknown.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named in honor of Judy Weller, who helped collect the first specimens, for her many contributions to the study of clearwings.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Carmenta wellerae. 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 wellerae - Hodges#2617 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Carmenta wellerae - Hodges#2617
What is Carmenta wellerae - Hodges#2617?
Carmenta wellerae - Hodges#2617 (Carmenta wellerae) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Carmenta wellerae - Hodges#2617?
Forewing length 8-11 mm (Duckworth & Eichlin, 1976).
How do you identify Carmenta wellerae - Hodges#2617?
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 Print References.
Where is Carmenta wellerae - Hodges#2617 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mountains and foothills. |
| Range | Southern Arizona and Mexico (Duckworth & Eichlin, 1976). Type Location: Cuiteco, Chihuahua, Mexico. |
What does Carmenta wellerae - Hodges#2617 eat?
The diet of the Carmenta wellerae - Hodges#2617 includes Unknown..
When is Carmenta wellerae - Hodges#2617 active?
Carmenta wellerae - Hodges#2617: seasonal activity - Adults fly during the summer rains from late July to September..