Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561
Synanthedon culiciformis
This record describes Synanthedon culiciformis (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larva - body light colored with dark brown head and light brown thoracic shield. ( 3 ) Adults attracted to (Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA and (Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA/(E,Z)-3,13-ODDA/(Z,Z)-3,13-ODDOH blended pheromone lures (Meyer & Cranshaw, 1994).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Cossoidea
- Family
- Sesiidae (Clearwing Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sesiinae
- Tribe
- Synanthedonini
- Genus
- Synanthedon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Holarctic. In North America from Alaska south to Utah, and California.
Seasonal Activity
Most records of adults from May to July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae are initially bark borers, later attacking the wood, of various Betulaceae; birches ( Betula ) in Europe, alders ( Alnus ) in North America. Adults visit flowers. ,
Life History
See Solomon in Print References.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet culiciformis is Latin meaning "resembles a gnat ( Culex )."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Synanthedon culiciformis. 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 Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Martin Hauser; Additional contributions by Harsi S. Parker , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561
What is Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561?
Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561 (Synanthedon culiciformis) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 9-12 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan 21-28 mm. Larva to 17-22 mm. |
How do you identify Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561?
Larva - body light colored with dark brown head and light brown thoracic shield. ( 3 )
Where is Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561 found?
Range: Holarctic. In North America from Alaska south to Utah, and California.
What does Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561 eat?
The diet of the Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561 includes Larvae are initially bark borers, later attacking the wood, of various Betulaceae; birches ( Betula ) in Europe, alders ( Alnus ) in North America. Adults visit flowers. ,.
When is Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561 active?
Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561: seasonal activity - Most records of adults from May to July..
What is the life cycle of a Large Red-belted Clearwing - Hodges#2561?
See Solomon in Print References.