Clearwing Moths (Sesiidae)

Clearwing moths are a family of moths known for their Batesian mimicry, i.e., they mimic a more threatening species like wasps. There are over 1500 species classified under this family.

List of Moths in this Family

Raspberry clearwing moth (Pennisetia hylaeiformis)
Raspberry crown borer moth (Pennisetia marginata)
Hornet moth (Sesia apiformis)
Lunar hornet moth (Sesia bembeciformis)
American hornet moth (Sesia tibiale)
Oriental blue clearwing moth (Heterosphecia tawonoides)
Squash vine borer moth (Melittia cucurbitae)
Glorious squash vine borer moth (Melittia gloriosa)
African vine borer moth (Melittia oedipus)
Grape root borer moth (Vitacea polistiformis)
Lesser grape root borer moth (Vitacea scepsiformis)
Dusky clearwing moth (Paranthrene tabaniformis)
Doll’s clearwing moth (Paranthrene dollii)
Western poplar clearwing moth (Paranthrene robiniae)
Red oak clearwing borer moth (Paranthrene simulans)
Virginia creeper clearwing moth (Albuna fraxini)
Fireweed clearwing moth (Albuna pyramidalis)
Maple callus borer moth (Synanthedon acerni)
Orange-tailed clearwing moth (Synanthedon andrenaeformis)
Strawberry crown moth (Synanthedon bibionipennis)
Dale’s oak clearwing moth (Synanthedon conopiformis)
Large red-belted clearwing moth (Synanthedon culiciformis)
Peachtree borer moth (Synanthedon exitiosa)
Sallow clearwing moth (Synanthedon flaviventris)
Red-tipped clearwing moth (Synanthedon formicaeformis)
Red-belted clearwing moth (Synanthedon myopaeformis)
Lesser peachtree borer moth (Synanthedon pictipes)
Pitch mass borer moth (Synanthedon pini)
Horsenettle borer moth (Synanthedon rileyana)
Florida oakgill moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)
Dogwood borer moth (Synanthedon scitula)
Welsh clearwing moth (Synanthedon scoliaeformis)
Sequoia pitch moth (Synanthedon sequoiae)
White-barred clearwing moth (Synanthedon spheciformis)
Currant clearwing moth (Synanthedon tipuliformis)
Yellow-legged clearwing moth (Synanthedon vespiformis)
Clearwing persimmon borer moth (Ichneumenoptera chrysophanes)
Ash borer moth (Podosesia syringae)
Persimmon borer moth (Sannina uroceriformis)
Liatris borer moth (Papaipema beeriana)
Arizona clearwing moth (Carmenta auritincta)
Eupatorium borer moth (Carmenta bassiformis)
Aster borer moth (Papaipema impecuniosa)
Argentine root borer moth (Carmenta haematica)
Coronopus borer moth (Carmenta mimuli)
Mistletoe borer moth (Carmenta phoradendri)
Boneset borer moth (Carmenta pyralidiformis)
Mistletoe stem borer moth (Carmenta tecta)
Texana clearwing moth (Carmenta texana)
Cocoa fruit borer moth (Conopomorpha cramerella)
Six-belted clearwing moth (Bembecia ichneumoniformis)
Glearwing moth (Bembecia scopigera)
Fiery clearwing moth (Pyropteron chrysidiforme)
Dock clearwing moth (Pyropteron doryliformis)
Thrift clearwing moth (Pyropteron muscaeforme)
Hungarian clearwing moth (Chamaesphecia hungarica)

Description and Identification

Caterpillar

They are yellow or cream-colored, with a brown head capsule. Larval development takes 1-4 years.

Pupa

After the larva reaches their final stage, they excavate a chamber inside their host plant where they undergo pupation. The moths stay in the pupal stage for 10-20 days.

Adult Moth

Sexual Dimorphism: Present. The males have more transparent portions on the wing than the females.

Color and Appearance: When the wings are opened, they are entirely transparent. They are narrow and elongated even when closed.

Average wingspan: 0.8-4.8 cm

Flight pattern: Erratic

Season: Late spring to mid-summer

Egg

The eggs are pale and pink, laid singly on a host plant.

Quick Facts

Distribution	Worldwide
Habitat	Forests
Lifespan of Adults	1 week
Predators	Birds like magpies and great tits
Host Plants	Fruit trees or crops
Adult Diet	Does not feed

Did You Know

French lepidopterist Jean Baptiste Alphonse Déchauffour de Boisduval first described this family of moths in 1828.