Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
 

Register · Log In
HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
Upcoming Events

Photos of insects and people from the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2024

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29


Previous events
TaxonomyBrowse
Info
ImagesLinksBooksData
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Carpenter and Clearwing Moths (Cossoidea) » Clearwing Moths (Sesiidae) » Sesiinae » Synanthedonini » Synanthedon » Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577 (Synanthedon castaneae)

Species Synanthedon castaneae - Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577

Classification · Hodges Number · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Range · Food · Life Cycle · Remarks · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited
Chestnut Borer - Synanthedon castaneae - male Chestnut Borer - Synanthedon castaneae - male Synanthedon castanae - Synanthedon castaneae - female Synanthedon castaneae - male
Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily Cossoidea (Carpenter and Clearwing Moths)
Family Sesiidae (Clearwing Moths)
Subfamily Sesiinae
Tribe Synanthedonini
Genus Synanthedon
Species castaneae (Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577)
Hodges Number
2577
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Synanthedon castaneae (Busck, 1913)
Sesia castaneae Busck, 1913
* phylogenetic sequence #080550
Explanation of Names
Named for the genus of American chestnut (Castanea).
Size
Wingspan: ♂ 17-20, ♀ 22-28 mm. (1)
Forewing length 10-12 mm. (2)
Larva to 22 mm. (3)
Identification
Larva - body white with brown head and light brown thoracic shield and spriracles. (3)
Range
Closely mirrors the range of American chestnut thoughout the eastern third of the United States. (2), (3)
Food
Larvae bore in the trunks of American chestnut (Castanea dentata), prefering damaged trees. (1), (2), (3)
Life Cycle
See Solomon in Print References.
Remarks
Re-discovered in the 1980's in Connecticut using pheromone lures and has since been collected all along the east coast to Florida. This specimen was collected by G.P. Engelhardt of the U.S. National Museum. The specimen is one of 30 specimens found in the National Museum.
considered by VA to be a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) (4)
See Also
Synanthedon pictipes
Print References
Brown, L.N. 1986. First records of three Clearwing Moths (Synanthedon tabaniformis, Synanthedon proxima and Synanthedon castaneae) in Florida. Florida Scientist 49(2): 80-81
Brown, L.N. & R.F. Mizell, III 1993. The Clearwing Borers of Florida (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). Tropical Lepidoptera 4(4): 1-21 (PDF) (2)
Engelhardt, G.P. 1946. The North American Clear-wing Moths of the family Aegeriidae. United States National Museum Bulletin 190: 95-96, pl.23, f.140-141 (1)
Solomon, J.D. 1995. Guide to insect borers in North American broadleaf trees and shrubs. USDA Forest Service Agriculture Handbook AH-706: 98-99 (download menu) (3)
Internet References
Moth Photographers Group - MPG
Works Cited
1.The North American Clear-wing Moths of the family Aegeriidae.
George P. Engelhardt. 1946. United States National Museum Bulletin 190: 1-222, pl.1-32.
2.The Clearwing Borers of Florida (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae).
Larry N. Brown & Russel F. Mizell, III. 1993. Tropical Lepidoptera 4(4): 1-21.
3.Guide to insect borers in North American broadleaf trees and shrubs
Solomon, J.D. 1995. USDA Forest Service Agriculture Handbook. 735 pp.
4.Virginia "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (SGCN)
Contributed by v belov on 1 February, 2011 - 6:05pm
Additional contributions by john and jane balaban, Mike Quinn, Randy Hardy
Last updated 6 April, 2016 - 1:20pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2025 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo

Printer Friendly Version 		Terms of Use
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Contact