Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527
Paranthrene simulans
This record describes Paranthrene simulans (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - closely resembles a queen southern yellowjacket, Vespula squamosa . Larva - purple-brown with black head and yellow-brown thoracic shield. Prominent elliptical spiracles.
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 two thirds of the United States and southern Canada. From Novia Scotia to Florida, west to Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi. , ,
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly April to June in the south and June through July in the north.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae bore into solid wood of many species of oaks, preferring young or damaged trees. , Also American Chestnut ( Castanea dentata )
Life History
Two year life cycle heaviest in odd-numbered years. See Solomon in Print References. ,
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: similāns = participle form of the Latin similō , meaning "to imitate." ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Paranthrene simulans. 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 Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , Randy Hardy , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527
What is Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527?
Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527 (Paranthrene simulans) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan: ♂ 27-36 mm, ♀ 30-40 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing length 12-18 mm. |
How do you identify Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527?
Adult - closely resembles a queen southern yellowjacket, Vespula squamosa . Larva - purple-brown with black head and yellow-brown thoracic shield. Prominent elliptical spiracles.
Where is Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527 found?
Range: Eastern two thirds of the United States and southern Canada. From Novia Scotia to Florida, west to Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi. , ,
What does Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527 eat?
The diet of the Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527 includes Larvae bore into solid wood of many species of oaks, preferring young or damaged trees. , Also American Chestnut ( Castanea dentata ).
When is Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527 active?
Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527: seasonal activity - Adults fly April to June in the south and June through July in the north..
What is the life cycle of a Red Oak Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2527?
Two year life cycle heaviest in odd-numbered years. See Solomon in Print References. ,