Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Synanthedon acerni (Clemens, 1860)
Trochilium acerni Clemens, 1860
Sylvora acerni
Sesia acerni
Aegeria acerni
* phylogenetic sequence #079975
Explanation of Names
acerni is Latin for "of maple wood" ("of maple" would be aceris), referring to the larval host (Genus Acer).
Size
Wingspan: ♂ 18-22 mm, ♀ 22-27 mm.
(2)
Forewing length 7-13 mm.
(3)
Identification
Adult -forewing edged in near-black, with black patch about two-thirds length of wing; subterminal area yellow; wings and antennae may have bluish or purplish sheen, depending on lighting; end of abdomen has bright reddish-orange tuft of hairs [adapted from description by Lynn Scott].
Larva - body white with dark brown head and light brown thoracic shield.
(2)Range
Throughout the eastern US and Canada, westward to Nebraska.
(1),
(4)Habitat
Larvae bore in maple trees causing a callus that expands as it is reinfested each year.
(3)Food
Maples, particularly Silver, Red, and Sugar Maple.
(2)Life Cycle
Eggs are deposited in roughened places on the trunk, preferably near wounds. The larvae bore thru the bark and into the sapwood. Slightly wounded trees are often severely damaged.
(5)
Overwinter as larva; pupation occurs in the spring.
(5)
One generation per year.
(5)Remarks
The eastern Clearwing most commonly attracted to lights.
(1)Print References
Baker, W.L. 1972. Eastern Forest Insects. USDA Miscellaneous Publication 1175: 399
(5)
Beutenmüller, W. 1901. Monograph of the Sesiidae of America, north of Mexico. Memoirs of the American Museum of Natural History 1(6):
294-296,
pl.31, f.24
(6)
Brown, L.N. & R.F. Mizell, III 1993. The Clearwing Borers of Florida (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). Tropical Lepidoptera 4(4): 1-21 (
PDF)
(3)
Clemens, B. 1860. Contributions to American Lepidopterology, No. 3. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 1860:
14-15
Covell Jr., C.V. 1984. A field guide to the moths of eastern North America. Houghton Mifflin Company. p.426, pl.61 #7
(1)
Engelhardt, G.P. 1946. The North American Clear-wing Moths of the family Aegeriidae. United States National Museum Bulletin 190:
78-79 (7)
Holland, W.J. 1915. The Moth Book. Doubleday, Page & Company. p.386,
pl.46, Fig.28
(8)
Johnson, W.T & H.H. Lyon 1991. Insects That Feed on Trees and Shrubs. Cornell University Press. p.260
(9)
Solomon, J.D. 1995. Guide to insect borers in North American broadleaf trees and shrubs. USDA Forest Service Agriculture Handbook AH-706: 68-70, f.25 (
download menu)
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