The family consists of 165 genera spread over two subfamilies, containing in total 1525 species and 49 subspecies,[1] most of which occur in the tropics, though there are many species in the Holarctic region as well, including over a hundred species known to occur in Europe.[2]:Backcover,6
Sesiidae are characterized by their hymenopteriform[lower-alpha 1]Batesian mimicry, frequently of identifiable species.[2]:11,16 Most species of Sesiidae have wings with areas where scales are nearly completely absent, resulting in partial, marked transparency.[2]:11 Forewings are commonly elongated and narrow in the basal half.[2]:11 In many species, the abdomen is elongated, with an anal tuft, and striped or ringed yellow, red or white,[2]:11 sometimes very brightly so. Legs are long, thin and frequently coloured,[2]:11 and in some species the hind-legs are elongated.[3] In European species, the wing span ranges from 8 to 48mm.[2]:11
Larvae lack pigment. Segments of the thorax are somewhat enlarged.[2]:11
The larvae of the Sesiidae typically bore in wood or burrow in plant roots. Many species are serious pests of fruit-tree or timber cultivation, or crop plants (e.g. Melittia spp. on squash) (Edwards et al., 1999). Larval development lasts 1–4 years, pupal stage 10–20 days.[2]:16
Edwards, E.D., Gentili, P., Horak, M., Kristensen, N.P. and Nielsen, E.S. (1999). The cossoid/sesioid assemblage. Ch. 11, pp.183–185 in Kristensen, N.P. (Ed.). Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies. Volume 1: Evolution, Systematics, and Biogeography. Handbuch der Zoologie. Eine Naturgeschichte der Stämme des Tierreiches / Handbook of Zoology. A Natural History of the phyla of the Animal Kingdom. Band / Volume IV Arthropoda: Insecta Teilband / Part 35: 491 pp. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, New York.
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