Sesiina

Definition

A taxonomic subsection of the section Tineina within the division Ditrysia of the order Lepidoptera, comprising three superfamilies: Choreutoidea (metalmark moths), Sesioidea (clearwing moths and relatives), and Zygaenoidea (burnet and forester moths). Sesiina groups together lepidopteran lineages that share derived morphological features including reduced wing venation and specialized larval habits, though the precise composition and rank of this taxon vary among classification systems.

Etymology

From the genus name Sesia (type genus of Sesiidae, the clearwing moths) + Latin suffix -ina, forming a subsection name.

Example

The clearwing moth family Sesiidae, famous for its wasp-mimicking species with transparent wings and narrow bodies, belongs to the superfamily Sesioidea within the subsection Sesiina.

Related Terms

• Tineina
• Ditrysia
• Sesioidea
• Sesiidae
• Choreutidae
• Zygaenidae
• Glossata
• Heteroneura

Usage Notes

Sesiina is a subsection, an intermediate rank between section and superfamily used in some lepidopteran classifications; it is not universally employed in all modern phylogenetic treatments. The superfamilies it contains—particularly Sesioidea and Zygaenoidea—are more frequently referenced in current literature than the subsection name itself. Choreutoidea is sometimes alternatively placed in other groupings. When encountered in older taxonomic literature, Sesiina may be treated as coordinate with or subordinate to other subsection names within Tineina.