List of moths of Australia (Sesiidae) facts for kids
Imagine a creature that looks like a bee or a wasp, but it's actually a moth! That's what many Sesiidae moths are like. They are a special group of moths known for mimicking other insects. This page lists the different types of Sesiidae moths found in Australia. It's part of a bigger list of all the moths living in Australia.
Contents
What are Sesiidae Moths?
Sesiidae moths are often called "clearwing moths." This is because many of them have wings that are mostly clear, like a fly or a wasp. This is quite unusual for moths, as most moths have wings covered in tiny scales that give them color.
Why do they look like other insects?
These moths are masters of disguise! They often look very much like bees, wasps, or even hornets. This amazing trick is called mimicry. By looking like stinging insects, they can scare away predators like birds or lizards. Predators think twice before trying to eat something that looks like it might sting them!
Where do Sesiidae Moths Live?
Sesiidae moths can be found all over the world. In Australia, there are many different species. They live in various habitats, from forests to gardens. Each species often has a favorite plant that its caterpillars like to eat.
Life Cycle of a Clearwing Moth
Like all moths, Sesiidae moths go through a complete life cycle. It starts with an egg, which hatches into a larva (a caterpillar). These caterpillars are often hidden inside plants, boring into stems, roots, or tree trunks. This protects them from predators. After growing, the caterpillar turns into a pupa, and then finally, an adult moth emerges. The adult moths usually fly during the day, which is another way they act like bees or wasps.
Australian Sesiidae Species
Australia is home to many fascinating Sesiidae moths. Scientists group these moths into different subfamilies. Here are some of the species found in Australia, divided by their subfamily.
Sesiinae Subfamily
This is one of the main groups of clearwing moths. Many species in this subfamily are excellent mimics of bees or wasps.
- Carmenta mimosa Eichlin & Passoa, 1984
- Chamaesphecia mysiniformis (Boisduval, 1840)
- Ichneumenoptera chrysophanes (Meyrick, 1886)
- Ichneumenoptera commoni (Duckworth & Eichlin, 1974)
- Ichneumenoptera xanthogyna (Hampson, 1919)
- Melittia chalybescens Miskin, 1892
- Melittia doddi Le Cerf, 1916
- Nokona carulifera (Hampson, 1919)
- Nokona coracodes (Turner 1922)
- Pseudosesia isozona (Meyrick, 1886)
- Pseudosesia oberthuri (Le Cerf, 1916)
- Pseudosesia zoniota (Turner, 1922)
- Pyropteron doryliformis (Ochsenheimer, 1808)
- Synanthedon cupreifascia (Miskin, 1892)
- Synanthedon tipuliformis (Clerck, 1759)
- Trilochana smaragdina Diakonoff, 1954
Tinthiinae Subfamily
This is another subfamily of Sesiidae moths. They also share many of the clearwing features and mimicry behaviors.
- Oligophlebia eusphyra (Turner, 1917)
- Oligophlebia igniflua (T.P. Lucas, 1893)
- Tinthia xanthospila Hampson, 1919
