- Sesiidae
Taxobox name Sesiidae image Synanthedon tipuliformis.jpg image width 200px image caption Synanthedon tipuliformis regnum Animal ia phylum Arthropod a classis Insect a ordo Lepidoptera subordo Ditrysia superfamilia Sesioidea familia Sesiidae familia authority Jean Baptiste Boisduval Boisduval , 1828 type species Sesia apiformis type species authority Hornet Moth diversity 151 genera br 1,370 species diversity link Lepidopteran diversity subdivision ranks Subfamily Subfamilies subdivision Sesiinae br Tinthiinae synonyms Aegeriidae small Stephens, 1828 small Trochiliidae small Westwood, 1843 small The Sesiidae or clearwing moths are family of the Lepidoptera in which the wings partially have hardly any of the normal lepidopteran scales, leaving them transparent. The bodies are generally striped with yellow, red or white, sometimes very brightly, and they have simple antennae. The general appearance is sufficiently similar to a wasp or hornet to make it likely that the moths gain a reduction in predation by mimicry Batesian mimicry . This enables them to be active in daylight. They are commonly collected using pheromone lures. Worldwide there are 151 genus genera , 1370 species , and 50 subspecies . Most of these occur in the tropics , but there are many species in the Holarctic region. The larva e of the Sesiidae are typically wood borers, or burrow in plant roots. Many species are serious pests of fruit tree or timber cultivation, or crop plants e.g. Squash vine borer Melittia spp. on Squash fruit squash Edwards et al., 1999 . Care should be taken not to confuse these moths with the Hemaris genus of the family Hawk moth Sphingidae . These are also known as clearwing moths in the United States U.S. , but normally as Bee Hawk Moths in UK Britain . These have generally fatter furrier bodies than sesiid clearwings, looking similar to bumble bees , and lack the striped colouration. Image IC Pyropteron chrysidiforme.jpg left thumb 300px Pyropteron chrysidiforme Image Clearw ... more details
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