Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Alcathoe caudata (Harris, 1839)
Aegeria caudata Harris, 1839
Sesia caudata
Trochilium caudatum
Alcathoe walkeri Neumoegen, 1894
Alcathoe annettella Engelhardt, 1946
* phylogenetic sequence #081925
Explanation of Names
Caudata from Latin caud, meaning "tailed." Adult males have a long tail-like appendage on the abdomen.
(1)Size
Wingspan 25-32 mm, females larger than the males.
(2)
Forewing length 7-15 mm.
(3)Identification
Adult - variable, with 4 different appearances. Males have a long slender appendage extending from the eigth abdominal segment.
Range
Eastern half of the US and Canada.
(3)Food
Larva bore into the roots of
Clematis and
Ribes species.
(3),
(2)Remarks
Larvae are parasitized by the Ichneumon wasp
Bracon sanninoideae.
(4)Print References
Brown, L.N. & R.F. Mizell, III 1993. The Clearwing Borers of Florida (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). Tropical Lepidoptera 4(4): 1-21 (
PDF)
(3)
Beuttenmüller, W. 1901. Monograph of the Sesiidae of America, north of Mexico. Memoirs of the American Museum of Natural History 1(6):
240-241,
pl.29, f.7-8
(5)
Engelhardt, G.P. 1946. The North American Clear-wing Moths of the family Aegeriidae. USNM Bulletin 190:
102-103 (2)
