Synanthedon

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Synanthedon
Synanthedon pictipes

Synanthedon pictipes

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Subordination : Sesiidae
Superfamily : Sesioidea
Family : Synanthedon
Scientific name
Synanthedon
Huebner, [1819]

Synanthedon is a genus within the family of the glass winged (Sesiidae) in the order of the butterflies (Lepidoptera). The species in the family have in common that theyimitatedefensive hymenoptera ( wasps , bees , ants, etc.)through mimicry . Some species of the genus are considered pests in agriculture and forestry (for example the apple tree glass winged Synanthedon myopaeformis Borkh.).

Surname

“Synanthedon” is a combination of Greek terms: “σύν” has the meaning “with”, while “ανθεδων” indicates the place where “flowers” ​​(“with flowers”). Many of the species names with the ending -formis refer to the hymenoptera species that are imitated, while other names refer to the host plant (castanevora) or allude to the distribution of the species (caucasica, colchidensis).

features

The most striking features of the predominantly diurnal moths are their mostly transparent wings, on which usually only the wing veins and edges are scaled and their external appearance is very similar to that of hymenoptera . This is due to the fact that, in addition to the transparent wings, they have a wasp or bee-like , mostly yellow stripe color . This mimicry protects them from predators who keep their distance from the supposedly dangerous animals. Often there are also similarities to other species that operate mimicry, such as the species of the genus Pyropteron .

The caterpillars of the glass winged birds are brightly colored and usually have a dark head and are reminiscent of beetle larvae in their appearance . They live and drill in the branches, stems or roots of plants. They often go through a long, perennial larval stage.

distribution

The glass winged birds are native to all continents with the exception of Antarctica , but the main area of ​​distribution is in the tropics .

species

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Checklist of the Sesiidae of the World

literature

  • Z. Lastuvka, A. Lastuvka: The Sesiidae of Europe. Apollo Books, Stenstrup 2001, ISBN 87-88757-52-8 .
  • F. Pühringer, A. Kallies: Provisional check list of the Sesiidae of the world (Lepidoptera: Ditrysia) (= communications of the Entomological Working Group Salzkammergut. 4). 2004, ISBN 3-901564-03-9 , pp. 1-85 ( sesiidae.net PDF).

Web links

Commons : Synanthedon  - collection of images, videos and audio files