Sesiidae

Sesiidae
Synanthedon tipuliformis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Cossoidea
Family: Sesiidae
Boisduval, 1828
Type species
Sphinx apiformis
Clerck, 1759
Subfamilies

Sesiinae
Tinthiinae

Diversity
165 genera
1,525 species
Synonyms
  • Aegeriidae Stephens, 1828
  • Trochiliidae Westwood, 1843
Synanthedon tipuliformis, larva

The Sesiidae or clearwing moths are a diurnal moth family in the order Lepidoptera known for their Batesian mimicry in both appearance and behaviour of various Hymenoptera.

The family consists of 165 genera spread over two subfamilies, containing in total 1525 species and 49 subspecies,[1] most of which occur in the tropics, though there are many species in the Holarctic region as well, including over a hundred species known to occur in Europe.[2]: Backcover, 6 

  1. ^ Pühringer, Franz (10 October 2021). "Checklist of the Sesiidae of the world (Lepidoptera: Ditrysia)". Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  2. ^ Laštůvka, Zdeněk; Laštůvka, Aleš (2001). The Sesiidae of Europe. Stenstrup: Apollo Books. ISBN 8788757528.