Chestnut-specialist
Guides
Synanthedon castaneae
Chestnut Clearwing Moth
A clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, Synanthedon castaneae is a specialist associated with Castanea (chestnut) trees. The species is part of a guild of insects that historically relied on American chestnut (Castanea dentata) as a host, and like other members of this community, has been affected by the decline of this keystone tree species due to chestnut blight. The common name reflects this host association.