Hornet moth

The hornet moth or hornet clearwing (Sesia apiformis) is a large moth native to Europe and the Middle East and has been introduced to North America. Its protective coloration is an example of Batesian mimicry, as its similarity to a hornet makes it unappealing to predators. The hornet moth has been linked to the large dieback of poplar trees across Europe because its larvae bore into the trunk of the tree before re-emerging as adults.

For the 1930s British biplane, see de Havilland Hornet Moth. For the other moth which shares this common name, see Paranthrene simulans.

Hornet moth
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sesiidae
Genus: Sesia
Species:
S. apiformis
Binomial name
Sesia apiformis
(Clerck, 1759)
Synonyms
  • Sphinx apiformis Clerck, 1759 (nec Linnaeus, 1761, nec Hübner, 1796)
  • Sphinx apiformis Linnaeus, 1761 (nec Hübner, 1796)
  • Sphinx crabroniformis [Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775 (nec Fabricius, 1793, nec Lewin, 1797, nec Laspeyres, 1801)
  • Sphinx sireciformis Esper, 1782
  • Sphinx tenebrioniformis Esper, 1782
  • Sphinx vespa Retzius, 1783
  • Trochilium apiformis f. brunneipes Turati, 1913
  • Trochilum apiformis ab. brunnea Caflisch, 1890
  • Trochilium apiformis ab. caflischii Standfuss, 1892
  • Aegeria apiformis ab. rhodani Mouterde, 1955
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