Sesiidae
| Vernacular names | |
|---|---|
| • Deutsch: | Glasflügler Sesien |
| • English: | clearwing moths wasp moths |
| • Español: | egéridos sésidos |
| • Français: | aegériidés sésiidés |
Sesiidae - (clearwing moths)
The family contains almost 1,500 species of moths, characterized by having transparent, narrow wings with few if any scales. Together with the frequent yellow bands on the body, it gives the adults the appearance of wasps and bees. This is possibly a protection against predators. The caterpillars bore into the bark, stems and roots of trees and shrubs, sometimes forming galls. Several are important plant pests like the grape root borer which attacks grapevines or the dogwood borer, a pest of fruit trees.
The adults are active during the day. The larval development is typically slow and can take up to 4 years.
Synonyms:
Aegeriidae
The following genera and individual species are currently entered under this family:
