Was-mimic
Guides
Carmenta auritincta
Arizona Clearwing Moth
Carmenta auritincta, the Arizona clearwing moth, is a sesiid moth described by Engelhardt in 1925. It belongs to a genus of clearwing moths that are known for their wasp-mimicking appearance and seed-feeding larval habits. The species has a restricted distribution in the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Like other members of Sesiidae, adults are diurnal and often mistaken for hymenopterans.
Cissuvora ampelopsis
A North American clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, described by Engelhardt in 1946. The larva was formally described by MacKay based on a prepupal specimen associated with a positively identified adult, correcting a previous misidentification in earlier literature. The species belongs to a small genus of clearwing moths that typically mimic wasps or hornets in appearance.
Cissuvorini
Cissuvorini is a tribe of clearwing moths within the family Sesiidae, established by Duckworth & Eichlin in 1977. Members of this tribe are distributed across Asia and are characterized by their wasp-mimicking appearance, a trait common to the family. The tribe includes the genus Toleria, among others. A 2020 annotated catalogue documented Asian members with distribution records and available host plant data.
Neoclytus senilis
Neoclytus senilis is a longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1798. As a member of the genus Neoclytus, it likely exhibits wasp-mimic coloration and rapid movement characteristic of this group. The species has been recorded from the Bahamas, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands.
Neoclytus tenuiscriptus
Neoclytus tenuiscriptus is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Fall in 1907. It belongs to the genus Neoclytus, a group of wasp-mimicking beetles found in North America. The species is documented from Mexico and the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in available sources. Like other members of its genus, it likely exhibits wasp-like coloration and rapid movement as defensive adaptations.
Neoclytus vanduzeei
Neoclytus vanduzeei is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Van Dyke in 1927. It belongs to the tribe Clytini, a group well-known for wasp-mimicry and rapid, erratic movement patterns. The genus Neoclytus contains approximately 25 species in North America, many of which are associated with dead or dying hardwood trees. Specific ecological details for N. vanduzeei remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as N. caprea and N. acuminatus.
Polybiomyia townsendi
Yellowshield Wasp Fly
Polybiomyia townsendi is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae, subfamily Eristalinae, tribe Cerioidini. It is commonly known as the Yellowshield Wasp Fly. The species was described by Snow in 1895 and is currently accepted as valid. Like other members of the genus Polybiomyia, it is a wasp-mimicking syrphid fly. The genus belongs to a group of hoverflies that exhibit Batesian mimicry of stinging Hymenoptera.
Synanthedon richardsi
A North American clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, distinguished by wasp-mimicking appearance and diurnal activity. Adults have reduced wing scaling that creates transparent areas, and males possess strongly bipectinate antennae. The species is rarely encountered due to limited attraction to artificial light sources.