Wasps-mimicry
Guides
Horama
Texas wasp moth (H. panthalon only)
Horama is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1819. The genus contains approximately 11 recognized species distributed primarily in the Americas, with notable diversity in the Caribbean region. Several species exhibit striking wasp mimicry, most famously H. panthalon, known as the Texas wasp moth. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with some species formerly placed here reassigned to related genera such as Poliopastea.
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.
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.