Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523
Paranthrene dollii
This record describes Paranthrene dollii (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Cossoidea
- Family
- Sesiidae (Clearwing Moths)
- Subfamily
- Tinthiinae
- Tribe
- Paranthrenini
- Genus
- Paranthrene
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern half of the United States, west to Arizona in the south. , ,
Seasonal Activity
Feb-Nov.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Poplar and willow, eastern cottonwood a major host. ,
Life History
Diurnal. Males fly mainly from noon to 4PM. Larvae go through 12 instars, early larvae consuming bark and later instars boring wood. Branches less than 4 cm often exhibit gall-like swellings. Two year life cycle in the north 1 year in the south.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named in honor of famed collector and curator Jacob Doll (1847-1929) of the Brooklyn Museum. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Paranthrene dollii. 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 Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , kschnei , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523
What is Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523?
Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523 (Paranthrene dollii) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523?
Forewing length 8-12 mm. Larva to 25-32 mm. Pupa 20-25 mm.
How do you identify Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523?
Adult - an excellent mimic of the red paper wasp. Larva - body white to light pink, head and thoracic shield brown.
Where is Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523 found?
Range: Eastern half of the United States, west to Arizona in the south. , ,
What does Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523 eat?
The diet of the Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523 includes Poplar and willow, eastern cottonwood a major host. ,.
When is Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523 active?
Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523: seasonal activity - Feb-Nov..
What is the life cycle of a Doll's Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2523?
Diurnal. Males fly mainly from noon to 4PM. Larvae go through 12 instars, early larvae consuming bark and later instars boring wood. Branches less than 4 cm often exhibit gall-like swellings. Two year life cycle in the north 1 year in the south.