Sesiidae

Definition

A family of diurnal moths in the order Lepidoptera, commonly called clearwing moths, characterized by reduced wing scaling that leaves large transparent areas, and by Batesian mimicry of Hymenoptera (wasps, hornets, and bees) in both morphology and behavior. The family comprises approximately 1,500 described species worldwide, with larvae that typically bore into woody stems or roots of host plants.

Etymology

From Sesia (type genus, derived from Greek sesia, a kind of moth) + -idae (family suffix)

Example

The raspberry crown borer (Pennisetia marginata), a sesiid moth, mimics the appearance and flight pattern of paper wasps while its larvae tunnel into the crowns and roots of Rubus species.

Synonyms

• clearwing moths
• sesiid moths

Related Terms

• Lepidoptera
• Batesian mimicry
• Hymenoptera
• Cossoidea
• Sesiinae
• Tinthiinae
• Diurnal
• wing scaling
• boring larvae
• mimicry complex

Usage Notes

Specialists use 'sesiid' as the adjectival form. The family is sometimes grouped with Cossidae (carpenter moths) in the superfamily Cossoidea, though classifications vary. The transparent wings result from reduced scaling rather than absence of scales entirely. Many species are economically significant as stem borers in fruit crops and ornamental plants.