Clearwing-moths
Guides
Cissuvora
Cissuvora is a genus of clearwing moths in the family Sesiidae, established by Engelhardt in 1946. The genus comprises at least two described species: C. ampelopsis, described from North America in 1946, and C. sinensis, described from China in 2002. Larvae of C. ampelopsis have been described and illustrated based on prepupal material, correcting a previous misidentification in larval revision literature. The genus is classified in the tribe Cissuvorini within subfamily Sesiinae.
Dilophonotini
Dilophonotini is a tribe of hawk moths (family Sphingidae) containing approximately 25 genera divided into two subtribes: Dilophonotina and Hemarina. The tribe includes both day-flying and crepuscular species, with Hemaris (clearwing moths) being particularly notable for their transparent wings and bee-mimicry. Members range from small to medium-sized sphingids with diverse wing patterns and body forms adapted to varied ecological niches.
Hymenoclea
Hymenoclea is a genus of clearwing moths (family Sesiidae) first described by Engelhardt in 1946. The genus belongs to the subfamily Sesiinae and tribe Synanthedonini. Like other sesiid moths, species in this genus are characterized by mimicry of wasps or hornets in their adult form. The genus is distinct from the plant genus Hymenoclea (Asteraceae), which comprises desert shrubs such as burrobrush.
Pennisetia
raspberry clearwing moths
Pennisetia is a genus of clearwing moths in the family Sesiidae, commonly known as raspberry clearwing moths. The genus contains approximately 14 described species distributed across the Palearctic region and North America. Species in this genus are characterized by their wasp-mimicking appearance, with transparent wings and narrow dark borders. Pennisetia hylaeiformis, the type species, has been extensively studied for its pheromone biology and serves as a model for understanding sesiid chemical ecology.
Penstemonia
Penstemonia is a genus of clearwing moths in the family Sesiidae, established by Engelhardt in 1946. The genus contains five described species distributed in North America. Species within this genus are part of the tribe Synanthedonini, which includes many wasp-mimicking moths. Adults are diurnal and are known to visit flowers.
Tinthiinae
clearwing moths
Tinthiinae is a subfamily of clearwing moths (family Sesiidae) established by Ferdinand Le Cerf in 1917. The subfamily comprises 24 genera organized into four tribes: Tinthiini, Pennisetiini, Paraglosseciini, and Similipepsini. Members are characterized by reduced wing scaling that creates transparent, wasp- or hornet-like appearance—a form of Batesian mimicry. The group has been documented in approximately 2,400 observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate but growing recognition among naturalists.
Tinthiini
Tinthiini is a tribe of clearwing moths within the family Sesiidae, subfamily Tinthiinae. Members of this tribe are characterized by their wasp-mimicking appearance, with reduced wing scaling that creates transparent or semi-transparent wings. The tribe was established by Le Cerf in 1917 and contains multiple genera distributed across various regions. These moths are generally diurnal and exhibit Batesian mimicry of hymenopterans as a defense strategy.
Zenodoxus
Zenodoxus is a genus of clearwing moths in the family Sesiidae, established by Grote & Robinson in 1868. The genus contains seven described species distributed in North America, including the United States and Mexico. As members of Sesiidae, adults likely exhibit wasp-mimicking morphology with partially transparent wings due to reduced scaling. Larval biology is poorly documented, though related genera often develop in plant roots or stems.