Carmenta texana

(Edwards, 1881)

Texana Clearwing Moth

Carmenta texana, the Texana clearwing moth, is a small sesiid described by Henry Edwards in 1881. It is known from Texas and Florida, with a wingspan of approximately 22 mm. The belongs to a of clearwing moths that typically have reduced wing scaling and -like appearance. It has been documented as a for the ichneumonid wasp Calliephialtes grapholithae.

Carmenta texana by (c) Richard Stovall, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Richard Stovall. Used under a CC-BY license.

Monograph of the Sesiidæ of America, north of Mexico (Pl. XXXI) (7400748140) by Beutenmüller, William. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Carmenta texana: /kɑrˈmɛn.tə tɛkˈsɑː.nə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Carmenta by geographic distribution (Texas and Florida) and specific wing venation patterns. Accurate identification typically requires examination of genitalia or . The small size (22 mm wingspan) and clearwing separate it from most other Lepidoptera .

Images

Appearance

Small clearwing moth with wingspan approximately 22 mm. Like other members of Sesiidae, wings have reduced scaling creating transparent areas. Body presumably -mimicking, though specific coloration details are not well documented.

Distribution

Known from the US states of Texas and Florida.

Host Associations

Calliephialtes grapholithae - Ichneumonid that parasitizes larvae of C. texana. Documented as a previously recorded in wasp literature.

Similar Taxa

Carmenta wildishorumAnother small Carmenta in southwestern North America, but known from New Mexico and Colorado rather than Texas/Florida distribution of C. texana
Other Carmenta speciesMany Carmenta are morphologically similar and require detailed examination or geographic distribution data for reliable separation

More Details

Type of host record

The record for Calliephialtes grapholithae is documented in literature rather than direct study of C. texana , indicating the is part of a 'concealed host' ecological guild typical of many sesiid larvae