Species Of Clearwing Moth Research Articles

Morphology of the last instar larva and pupa of Paranthrene diaphana (Dalla Torre & Strand 1925) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), a serious pest of the babylon weeping willow trees in Iran.

This work presents the first description of the morphology of the last larval instar and pupa of the clearwing moth species Paranthrene diaphana (Dalla Torre & Strand, 1925). All diagnostic morphological features are described in detail, compared with the closely related species Paranthrene tabaniformis (Rottemburg, 1775) and P. insolitus Le Cerf 1914, and the features are illustrated with photographs and line drawings. The research on clearwing moths in Tehran Province (central Iran) has revealed that P. diaphana is a serious new pest that causes significant damage to babylon weeping willow trees Salix babylonica L. (Salicaceae).

Comparative morphology of the preimaginal stages of Sesia bembeciformis (Hübner, [1806]) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) and other related Sesia species

This work presents the first description of the larval morphology of the clearwing moth species Sesia bembeciformis (Hübner, [1806]). The description of the pupa is expanded with new data. All diagnostic morphological features are described in detail, and illustrated with photographs and line drawings. A key to the described larvae of Sesia bembeciformis, S. apiformis, S. yezoensis and S. siningensis is provided. Diagnostic features for the genus Sesia, based on the described larvae and pupae, are proposed and discussed.

Morphology of the last instar larva and pupa of Synanthedon caucasica (Gorbunov, 1986) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), a serious pest of oriental plane and elm trees.

This work presents the first description of the morphology of the last larval instar and pupa of the clearwing moth species Synanthedon caucasica (Gorbunov, 1986). All diagnostic morphological characters are described in detail, compared with the closely related species Synanthedon loranthi (Králíček, 1966), and these diagnostic characters are illustrated with photographs and line drawings.

Morphology of pupae of Synanthedon codeti (Oberthür, 1881) and Synanthedon theryi Le Cerf, 1916 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae).

This work presents the first description of the pupal morphology of the clearwing moth species Synanthedon codeti (Oberthür, 1881) and S. theryi Le Cerf, 1916. All diagnostic morphological features are described in detail, compared with the closely related species S. vespiformis (Linnaeus, 1761), and the features are illustrated with photographs and line drawings.

A new species of the genus Toleria Walker, 1865 ["1864"] from Vietnam, with a catalogue of Asian Cissuvorini (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae).

A new clearwing moth species, Toleria vietnamica sp. nov. from Ba Bể National Park, Bẳc Kan Province, North Vietnam is described and illustrated. An annotated catalogue of Asian members of the tribe Cissuvorini is added to this paper. The catalogue contains the following information: the references to the original descriptions, information on name-bearing types, complete bibliographies of the presented taxa, distribution and available data on host plants. The type series of the new species is deposited in the collection of National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba (formerly Natural Science Museum Tokyo).

A new species of the genus Taikona Arita amp; O. Gorbunov, 2001 from Vietnam(Lepidoptera: Sesiidae).

A new clearwing moth species is described and illustrated from South Vietnam: Taikona ikedai sp. nov. The type series is deposited in the collection of the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba (formerly Natural Science Museum Tokyo). The female and the larval host plant are unknown. The genus Taikona was previously unrecorded in the country.

A new species of the genus Sazonia O. Gorbunov Arita, 2001 from Vietnam (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae).

A new clearwing moth species of the tribe Osminiini is described and illustrated from North Vietnam: Sazonia (Sazonia) vietnamica sp. nov. The female and the larval host plant are unknown. The genus Sazonia is recorded for the country for the first time. The holotype is deposited in the collection of the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba (formerly the Natural Science Museum Tokyo).

A new species of Aschistophleps from Thailand and Laos, with a new generic synonymy (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae).

We here describe a new clearwing moth species, Aschistophleps ignisquamulata sp. nov., from northern Thailand and Laos. This striking new species differs from all other species of Osminiini in both external appearance and genitalia and displays characteristics that indicate that Pyrophleps Arita Gorbunov is a junior subjective synonym of Aschistophleps (syn. nov.).

A new species of bee-mimicking clearwing moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from Thailand, with description and video of its behaviour

Unique footage of flight and mud-puddling behaviour of a new species of clearwing moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) was filmed in its habitat in Thailand. Aschistophleps argentifasciata, morphologically resembling a bee, imitates its model also in the way it flies. This behavioural mimicry, as well as mud-puddling, filmed both in real-time and slow motion (500/1000 frames per second), are shown in a supplementary video and described herein. A morphological description of the new species, including male genitalia, mimicry features, differential diagnosis from closely related species and information on the habitat, time and conditions of occurrence are provided. This is the first video of the genus Aschistophleps ever published and this species is the first country record of Aschistophleps for Thailand.

A new species of wasp-mimicking clearwing moth from Peninsular Malaysia with DNA barcode and behavioural notes (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae).

A new species of clearwing moth, Pyrophleps ellawi Skowron Volponi, sp. n., is described from Peninsular Malaysia. Information on the habitat, time and conditions of occurrence, flight and mud-puddling behaviour, functional morphology, and DNA barcode are also provided. Photographs and a supplementary video from the wild demonstrate the postures and behaviour of this species of Pyrophleps, whose remaining members were described only on the basis of pinned specimens. This is the first record of this genus in Peninsular Malaysia.

Nokona mahawu sp.n., a new clearwing moth species (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Nokona mahawu sp.n., a new clearwing moth species (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Biological Control of Grape Root Borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) with Commercially Available Entomopathogenic Nematodes in Florida Muscadine and ‘Cynthiana' Grapes

The grape root borer, Vitacea polistiformis (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), is a clearwing moth species native to the eastern United States. Its range extends north to Michigan, west to the Mississippi Valley, and south to Florida. It is a major pest of grapes in the eastern United States, damaging vines by girdling the roots, thus cutting off nutrients and water transfer from the roots to the remainder of the plant. A single larva feeding on the root system is able to reduce a vine’s yield by 50%, and two or three larvae within a root system can reduce winter hardiness, fruit quality, and yield and can ultimately destroy an entire vine (Dutcher and All 1979, J. Econ. Entomol. 72: 159–161). Adult grape root borers do not feed and they live for about 8 d (Dutcher and All 1978, J. Georgia Entomol. Soc. 13: 59–63). Females lay their eggs on or near grape vines and nearby weeds, and the eggs fall to the soil surface where they hatch approximately 18 d later. Younger larvae feed throughout the entire root zone while older larvae are concentrated at the trunk. Most researchers agree that the borer’s life cycle takes 2 yr to complete and that it overwinters in the larval stage, which lasts for up to 22 mo. Pupation occurs near the soil surface in June and July (Dutcher and All 1979). Weihman and Liburd (2007, Florida Entomol. 89: 245–250), however, postulate that there is a 2-yr life cycle in the East but that populations in Florida may have a 1-yr cycle, with adults emerging over a period of 6 mo compared to the 2-mo period farther north. Natural enemies, resistant root stocks, and insecticides offer some management of the grape root borer. Other pest-management strategies include mating disruption (Johnson et al. 1981, Misc. Publ. Entomol. Soc. Ark. 12(2):1–7; Johnson

Intra- and Interspecific Activities of Semiochemicals from the Sex Pheromone Gland of the Welsh Clearwing, Synanthedon Scoliaeformis

Analysis of the sex pheromone gland of virgin Synanthedon scoliaeformis females by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry revealed six compounds structurally related to sex pheromone components of other clearwing moths: (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate (E2,Z13-18:OAc), (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienol, octadecanol acetate, octadecanol, (Z,Z)-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate (Z3,Z13-18:OAc), and (Z)-13-octadecenyl acetate. Trapping tests demonstrated that E2,Z13-18:OAc is the sex pheromone of S. scoliaeformis and is essential for attracting males; addition of the other compounds did not enhance catch. Synanthedon scoliaeformis and S. tipuliformis are the only Palearctic clearwing moths whose distribution range and seasonal flight periods overlap and that are known to use E2,Z13-18:OAc in sex pheromonal communication. Hourly monitoring of male catches in traps revealed that sex pheromone communication in S. scoliaeformis and S. tipuliformis species follows different diurnal patterns. Z3,Z13-18:OAc, found in S. scoliaeformis females, is a known behavioral antagonist against S. tipuliformis males, while (E,Z)-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, a minor sex pheromone component of S. tipuliformis, is an antagonist against S. scoliaeformis males. The effect of sex pheromones and antagonists, combined with different diurnal mate searching times, contribute to the specificity of sex communication channels in these two clearwing moth species.

Use of sex pheromones in faunistic research on Synanthedon scoliaeformis (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae) in Poland

Studies on the distribution of Synanthedon scoliaeformis were carried out in western, south-western and south-eastern Poland by means of synthetic sex attractants. Funnel traps baited mainly with one component E2,Z13-18:Ac, were used. This study confirms that the use of sex attractant is highly efficient in faunistic studies and pheromone trapping may offer a user friendly and reliable method for monitoring this rare clearwing moth species which otherwise are hard to detect. New records and all the literature data on S. scoliaeformis, caught in Poland withthe help of sex pheromone are presented.

Carmenta chromolaenae Eichlin, a new species (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) for the biological control of Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robinson (Asteraceae)

A new species of Sesiidae, Carmenta chromolaenae Eichlin, is described to make the name available to researchers evaluating the moth's potential for biological control of its host plant, Chromolaena odorata, in South Africa and other parts of the plant's invasive range. This clearwing moth species was reared from the host plant in Venezuela. The adult moth, including the male and female genitalia, larva, and pupa are described and illustrated. Its biology and possible use as a control agent are discussed.

Inter- and Intraspecific Activities of Compounds Derived from Sex Pheromone Glands of Currant Borer, Synanthedon tipuliformis (Clerck) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae)

Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analyses of crude sex pheromone gland extracts revealed that virgin Synanthedon tipuliformis (Clerck), currant borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) females, produced 6 compounds, structurally related to sex pheromone components of clearwing moths. By comparison of retention times and mass spectra of natural products with corresponding properties of synthetic standards, these compounds were identified as: (2E,13Z)-octadeca-2,13-dien-1-yl acetate (E2,Z13-18:OAc), (3E,13Z)-octadeca-3,13-dien-1-yl acetate (E3,Z13-18:OAc), (13Z)-octadec-13-en-1-yl acetate (Z13-18:OAc), (2E,13Z)-octadeca-2,13-dien-1-ol (E2,Z13-18:OH), (13Z)-octadec-13-en-1-ol (Z13-18:OH) and octadecan-1-ol (18:OH) in the ratio 100:0.7:2.7:3.2:traces:traces. The first 3 compounds were previously known to occur in the sex pheromone gland extracts of currant borers, while the last 3 chemicals are now reported for the first time. Trapping tests carried out in the black currant field revealed that E2,Z13-18:OAc, when tested separately, attracted S. tipuliformis males, while addition of E3,Z13-18:OAc to the main component increased the effectiveness of E2,Z13-18:OAc over seven times. The attractiveness of 6 component lures did not differ significantly from the one of the binary mixture, confirming that E2,Z13-18:OAc and E3,Z13-18:OAc in the ratio100:0.7 are essential sex pheromone components of S. tipuliformis. Trapping tests carried out at the dwelling place of Synanthedon scoliaeformis (Borkhausen) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) revealed that, in addition to intraspecific synergistic effect, E3,Z13-18:OAc increased the specificity of the pheromone signal of S. tipuliformis, acting by intraspecific mode as an attraction antagonist against S. scoliaeformis males. By this way, it ensured the specificity of the sex attraction signal of the currant borer. Consequently, both compounds E2,Z13-18:OAc and E3,Z13-18:OAc have to be present in pheromone formulations used for monitoring and/or control of S. tipuliformis to avoid effecting non-target species. Other compounds identified from the sex pheromone gland of S. tipuliformis did not show any significant interspecific activity for males of S. scoliaeformis, however, they provide a basis to achieve specificity of a pheromone signal of S. tipuliformis and could act as attraction antagonists against other clearwing moth species which, like S. tipuliformis, employ E2,Z13-18:OAc as their sex pheromone component.

The Investigation of Synanthedon Mesiaeformis and S. Flaviventris (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae) Distribution in Lithuania using Sex Attractants

Distribution of two clearwing moth species in Lithuania was studied in 1992–2006 using the mixture of 2E,13Z-18:OAc and 3Z,13Z-18:OAc in the ratio 9:1 as a sex attractant for males and delta traps ‘Atracon A’. Traps were hung in wetlands with the common alder Alnus glutinosa in 68 localities. The clearwing moth Synanthedon mesiaeformis listed in the Red Data Book of Lithuania as a rare species was recorded in 29 localities, 27 of which were not previously known as dwelling sites of the species. It was proposed to group finding sites in Lithuania into the populations of Eastern Lithuania, the Kazlų Rūda and Karsuva forests. The importance of Lithuanian populations for S. Mesiaeformis survival in Central Europe is emphasised. The sallow clearwing moth Synanthedon flaviventris, another rare and scarcely investigated species, was recorded in 25 new localities in various regions of Lithuania. The study presents data about flight periods of both species.

Sex Attractants for Clearwing Moths Synanthedon Mesiaeformis (Herrich-Schäffer) and S. Flaviventris (Staudinger) (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae)

In Vilnius, Kairėnai a field screening test of 2E,13Z-, 3Z,13Z-, 3E,13Z-octadecadien-1-ols and their acetates (2E,13Z-, 3Z,13Z-, 3E,13Z-18:OH/OAc) as well as their binary mixtures was carried out and the attractivity of the mixture of 2E,13Z-18:OAc and 3Z,13Z-18:OAc to Synanthedon mesiaeformis males was determined. The test of the 2-component mixture in five different ratios in Eiciai (Tauragė district) revealed that mixtures containing 2E,13Z-18:OAc/3Z,13Z-18:OAc in the ratio from 9:1 to 5:5 were the most attractive. The mixture of 2E,13Z-18:OAc/3Z,13Z-18:OAc in the ratio from 49:1 to 9:1 attracted males of another clearwing moth species Synanthedon flaviventris. The mixture in the ratio 9:1 is recommended for the simultaneous attraction of the both mentioned clearwing species. To achieve species-specificity, the 2E,13Z-18:OAc/3Z,13Z-18:OAc mixture in the ratio 5:5 is recommended for S. Mesiaeformis, and the mixture of the same compounds in the ratio 49:1 for S. Flaviventris.

New Sex Attractants for Five Chamaesphecia Species (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae) from the Ukraine and Turkmenistan

Abstract Field screening tests of (3Z,13Z)- and (3E,13Z)-octadecadienols, (2Z,13Z)-and (2E,13Z)-octadecadienols and their acetates as well as some binary mixtures of these compounds in dosages of 0.5 mg/dispenser were carried out in the Crimea, the Ukraine, and in the West Kopetdag mountains, Turkmenistan, in 1989-1993. New sex attractants for five clearwing moth species of the genus Chamaesphecia (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae) were discovered. Males of Ch. chalciformis were attracted by a 1:1 mixture of 3Z,13Z-18:OH and 2E,13Z-18:OAc, Ch. schmidtiformis by a 9:1 mixture of 3Z,13Z-18:OAc and 3Z,13Z-18:OH in the Ukraine as well as in the ratios 9:1 and 1:1 in Turkmenistan, Ch. mezentzevi by a 9:1 mixture of 3Z,13Z-18:OAc and the corresponding alcohol, Ch. zimmermanni by a 1:9 mixture of 3Z,13Z-18:OAc and 3.E,13Z-18:OH, and Ch. specia nova in Turkmenistan by a 1:1 mixture of 3Z,13Z-18:OH and 3E,13Z-18:OAc. Two inhibitors, 3Z,13Z-18:OH and 3E,13Z-18:OAc, of the sex attractant were found for Ch. zimmermanni. The periods of attraction to the traps were registered for males of Ch. zimmermanni and Ch. specia nova and were found to occur at 1900-2100 and 1430-1700 local time, respectively. Males of Ch. chalciformis and Ch. schmidtiform is were attracted to the traps in the afternoon.

Seasonal Incidence of Male Dogwood Borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) and Other Species of Clearwing Moths in Selected Habitats in Tennessee

Males of eight species of clearwing moths were collected in pheromone-baited traps placed in commercial nursery, urban, and forest habitats in eastern and middle Tennessee during 1987 and 1988. Seasonal flight activity was recorded for Podosesia syringae (Harris), lilac borer; Paranthrene simulans “palmii” (Grote), an oak borer; Synanthedon scitula , dogwood borer; Synanthedon rhododendri (Beutenmuller), rhododendron borer; Synanthedon exitiosa (Say), peachtree borer; Synanthedon fatifera Hodges, a viburnum borer; Synanthedon acerni (Clemens), maple callus borer; and Synanthedon decipiens (Hy. Edwards), a borer of cynipid galls on oak. The dogwood borer exhibited bimodal emergence with the first peak occurring in mid-May and the second in the beginning of August. In the forest, the rhododendron borer exhibited bimodal emergence. The dogwood borer and peachtree borer were not collected in the forest habitat.