Sesiidae (Family)

Overview

The Sesiidae or clearwing moths are family of the Lepidoptera in which the wings partially have hardly any of the normal lepidopteran scales, leaving them transparent. The bodies are generally striped with yellow, red or white, sometimes very brightly, and they have simple antennae. The general appearance is sufficiently similar to a wasp or hornet to make it likely that the moths gain a reduction in predation by Batesian mimicry. This enables them to be active in daylight. They are commonly collected using pheromone lures. Worldwide there are 151 genera, 1370 species , and 50 subspecies. Most of these occur in the tropics, but there are many species in the Holarctic region.

The larvae of the Sesiidae are typically wood-borers, 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).

Care should be taken not to confuse these moths with the Hemaris genus of the family Sphingidae. These are also known as clearwing moths in the U.S., but normally as Bee Hawk-Moths in Britain. These have generally fatter furrier bodies than sesiid clearwings, looking similar to bumble bees, and lack the striped coloration.

Pyropteron chrysidiforme

Synanthedon sp.

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Subfamily Tinthiinae Le Cerf, 1917
- Tribe Tinthiini Le Cerf, 1917
  - Microsphecia Bartel, 1912
  - Tinthia Walker, [1865]
  - Sophona Walker, 1856
  - Zenodoxus Grote & Robinson, 1868
  - Conopsia Strand, [1913]
  - Paranthrenopsis Le Cerf, 1911
  - Entrichella Bryk, 1947
  - Negotinthia Gorbunov, 2001
  - Trichocerota Hampson, [1893]
  - Paradoxecia Hampson, 1919
  - Rectala Bryk, 1947
  - Ceratocorema Hampson, [1893]
  - Caudicornia Bryk, 1947
  - Bidentotinthia Arita & Gorbunov, 2003
  - Tarsotinthia Arita & Gorbunov, 2003
  - Tyrictaca Walker, 1862
- Tribe Pennisetiini Naumann, 1971
  - Pennisetia Dehne, 1850
  - Corematosetia Kallies & Arita, 2001
- Tribe Paraglosseciini Gorbunov & Eitschberger 1990
  - Oligophlebia Hampson, [1893]
  - Isothamnis Meyrick, 1935
  - Cyanophlebia Arita & Gorbunov, 2001
  - Lophocnema Turner, 1917
  - Diapyra Turner, 1917
  - Micrecia Hampson, 1919
- Tribe Similipepsini ?patenka, La?tuvka, Gorbunov, To?evski & Arita, 1993
  - Similipepsis Le Cerf, 1911
  - Gasterostena Arita & Gorbunov, 2003
Subfamily Sesiinae Boisduval, 1828
- Tribe Sesiini Boisduval, 1828
  - Sesia Fabricius, 1775
  - Trilochana Moore, 1879
  - Cyanosesia Gorbunov & Arita, 1995
  - Sphecosesia Hampson, 1910
  - Teinotarsina Felder, 1874
  - Lenyra Walker, 1856
  - Aegerosphecia Le Cerf, 1916
  - Lamellisphecia Kallies & Arita, 2004
  - Clavigera Kallies & Arita, 2004
  - Eusphecia Le Cerf, 1937
  - Scasiba Matsumura, 1931
  - Callisphecia Le Cerf, 1916
  - Madasphecia Viette, 1982
  - Melittosesia Bartsch, 2009
  - Barbasphecia P?hringer & S?fi?n 2011
  - Afrokona Fischer, 2006
  - Hovaesia Le Cerf, 1957
  - Lenyrhova Le Cerf, 1957
- Tribe Cissuvorini Duckworth & Eichlin 1977
  - Toleria Walker, [1865]
  - Chimaerosphecia Strand, [1916]
  - Glossosphecia Hampson, 1919
  - Cissuvora Engelhardt, 1946
  - Dasysphecia Hampson, 1919
- Tribe Osminiini Duckworth & Eichlin 1977
  - Osminia Le Cerf, 1917
  - Chamanthedon Le Cerf, 1916
  - Microsynanthedon Viette, [1955]
  - Calasesia Beutenm?ller, 1899
  - Aenigmina Le Cerf, 1912
  - Cabomina de Freina, 2008
  - Pyranthrene Hampson, 1919
  - Homogyna Le Cerf, 1911
  - Aschistophleps Hampson [1893]
  - Pyrophleps Arita & Gorbunov, 2000
  - Heterosphecia Le Cerf, 1916
  - Melanosphecia Le Cerf, 1916
  - Akaisphecia Gorbunov & Arita, 1995
  - Callithia Le Cerf, 1916
- Tribe Melittiini Le Cerf, 1917
  - Melittia H?bner, [1819]
  - Desmopoda Felder, 1874
  - Agriomelissa Meyrick, 1931
  - Afromelittia Gorbunov & Arita, 1997
  - Cephalomelittia Gorbunov & Arita, 1995
  - Macroscelesia Hampson, 1919
- Tribe Paranthrenini Niculescu, 1964
  - Nokona Matsumura 1931
  - Taikona Arita & Gorbunov, 2001
  - Scoliokona Kallies & Arita, 1998
  - Rubukona Fischer, 2007
  - Adixoa Hampson, [1893]
  - Pramila Moore, 1879
  - Vitacea Engelhardt, 1946
  - Phlogothauma Butler, 1882
  - Paranthrene H?bner, [1819]
  - Pseudosesia Felder, 1861
  - Albuna Edwards, 1881
  - Euhagena Edwards, 1881
  - Sincara Walker, 1856
  - Tirista Walker, [1865]
  - Thyranthrene Hampson, 1919
  - Sura Walker, 1856
- Tribe Synanthedonini Niculescu, 1964
  - Synanthedon H?bner, [1819]
  - Ravitria Gorbunov & Arita, 2000
  - Kantipuria Gorbunov & Arita, 1999
  - Kemneriella Bryk, 1947
  - Ichneumenoptera Hampson, [1893]
  - Paranthrenella Strand, [1916]
  - Anthedonella Gorbunov & Arita, 1999
  - Schimia Gorbunov & Arita, 1999
  - Uncothedon Gorbunov & Arita, 1999
  - Palmia Beutenm?ller, 1896
  - Podosesia M?schler, 1879
  - Sannina Walker, 1856
  - Nyctaegeria Le Cerf, 1914
  - Carmenta Edwards, 1881
  - Penstemonia Engelhardt, 1946
  - Camaegeria Strand, 1914
  - Malgassesia Le Cerf, 1922
  - Lophoceps Hampson, 1919
  - Tipulamima Holland, 1893
  - Rodolphia Le Cerf, 1911
  - Alcathoe Edwards, 1882
  - Pseudalcathoe Le Cerf, 1916
  - Macrotarsipus Hampson, [1893]
  - Grypopalpia Hampson, 1919
  - Hymenoclea Engelhardt, 1946
  - Euryphrissa Butler, 1874
  - Leptaegeria Le Cerf, 1916
  - Aegerina Le Cerf, 1917
  - Stenosphecia Le Cerf, 1917
  - Bembecia H?bner, [1819]
  - Pyropteron Newman, 1832
  - Dipchasphecia Capuse, 1973
  - Chamaesphecia Spuler, 1910
  - Weismanniola Naumann, 1971
  - Ichneumonella Gorbunov & Arita, 2005
  - Crinipus Hampson, 1896
- Genera unassigned to Tribe
  - Alonina Walker, 1856
  - Anaudia Wallengren, 1863
  - Augangela Meyrick, 1932
  - Austrosetia Felder, 1874
  - Ceritrypetes Bradley, 1956
  - Conopyga Felder, 1861
  - Echidgnathia Hampson, 1919
  - Episannina Aurivillius, 1905
  - Erismatica Meyrick, 1933
  - Gymnosophistis Meyrick, 1934
  - Hymenosphecia Le Cerf, 1917
  - Isocylindra Meyrick, 1930
  - Lepidopoda Hampson, 1900
  - Leuthneria Dalla Torre, 1925
  - Megalosphecia Le Cerf, 1916
  - Melisophista Meyrick, 1927
  - Metasphecia Le Cerf, 1917
  - Mimocrypta Naumann, 1971
  - Monopetalotaxis Wallengren, 1859
  - Pedalonina Gaede, 1929
  - Proaegeria Le Cerf, 1916
  - Pseudomelittia Le Cerf, 1917
  - Tradescanticola Hampson, 1919
  - Uranothyris Meyrick, 1933
  - Vespanthedon Le Cerf, 1917
  - Xenoses Durrant, 1924
  - Zhuosesia Yang, 1977

he Sesiidae or clearwing moths are family of the Lepidoptera in which the wings partially have hardly any of the normal lepidopteran scales, leaving them transparent. The bodies are generally striped with yellow, red or white, sometimes very brightly, and they have simple antennae. The general appearance is sufficiently similar to a wasp or hornet to make it likely that the moths gain a reduction in predation by Batesian mimicry. This enables them to be active in daylight. They are commonly collected using pheromone lures. Worldwide there are 151 genera, 1370 species , and 50 subspecies. Most of these occur in the tropics, but there are many species in the Holarctic region.

Pyropteron chrysidiforme

Synanthedon sp.

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Subfamily Tinthiinae Le Cerf, 1917
- Tribe Tinthiini Le Cerf, 1917
  - Microsphecia Bartel, 1912
  - Tinthia Walker, [1865]
  - Sophona Walker, 1856
  - Zenodoxus Grote & Robinson, 1868
  - Conopsia Strand, [1913]
  - Paranthrenopsis Le Cerf, 1911
  - Entrichella Bryk, 1947
  - Negotin thia Gorbunov, 2001
  - Trichocerota Hampson, [1893]
  - Paradoxecia Hampson, 1919
  - Rectala Bryk, 1947
  - Ceratocorema Hampson, [1893]
  - Caudicornia Bryk, 1947
  - Bidentotinthia Arita & Gorbunov, 2003
  - Tarsotinthia Arita & Gorbunov, 2003
  - Tyrictaca Walker, 1862
- Tribe Pennisetiini Naumann, 1971
  - Pennisetia Dehne, 1850
  - Corematosetia Kallies & Arita, 2001
- Tribe Paraglosseciini Gorbunov & Eitschberger 1990
  - Oligophlebia Hampson, [1893]
  - Isothamnis Meyrick, 1935
  - Cyanophlebia Arita & Gorbunov, 2001
  - Lophocnema Turner, 1917
  - Diapyra Turner, 1917
  - Micrecia Hampson, 1919
- Tribe Similipepsini ?patenka, La?tuvka, Gorbunov, To?evski & Arita, 1993
  - Similipepsis Le Cerf, 1911
  - Gasterostena Arita & Gorbunov, 2003
Subfamily Sesiinae Boisduval, 1828
- Tribe Sesiini Boisduval, 1828
  - Sesia Fabricius, 1775
  - Trilochana Moore, 1879
  - Cyanosesia Gorbunov & Arita, 1995
  - Sphecosesia Hampson, 1910
  - Teinotarsina Felder, 1874
  - Lenyra Walker, 1856
  - Aegerosphecia Le Cerf, 1916
  - Lamellisphecia Kallies & Arita, 2004
  - Clavigera Kallies & Arita, 2004
  - Eusphecia Le Cerf, 1937
  - Scasiba Matsumura, 1931
  - Callisphecia Le Cerf, 1916
  - Madasphecia Viette, 1982
  - Melittosesia Bartsch, 2009
  - Barbasphecia P?hringer & S?fi?n 2011
  - Afrokona Fischer, 2006
  - Hovaesia Le Cerf, 1957
  - Lenyrhova Le Cerf, 1957
- Tribe Cissuvorini Duckworth & Eichlin 1977
  - Toleria Walker, [1865]
  - Chimaerosphecia Strand, [1916]
  - Glossosphecia Hampson, 1919
  - Cissuvora Engelhardt, 1946
  - Dasysphecia Hampson, 1919
- Tribe Osminiini Duckworth & Eichlin 1977
  - Osminia Le Cerf, 1917
  - Chamanthedon Le Cerf, 1916
  - Microsynanthedon Viette, [1955]
  - Calasesia Beutenm?ller, 1899
  - Aenigmina Le Cerf, 1912
  - Cabomina de Freina, 2008
  - Pyranthrene Hampson, 1919
  - Homogyna Le Cerf, 1911
  - Aschistophleps Hampson [1893]
  - Pyrophleps Arita & Gorbunov, 2000
  - Heterosphecia Le Cerf, 1916
  - Melanosphecia Le Cerf, 1916
  - Akaisphecia Gorbunov & Arita, 1995
  - Callithia Le Cerf, 1916
- Tribe Melittiini Le Cerf, 1917
  - Melittia H?bner, [1819]
  - Desmopoda Felder, 1874
  - Agriomelissa Meyrick, 1931
  - Afromelittia Gorbunov & Arita, 1997
  - Cephalomelittia Gorbunov & Arita, 1995
  - Macroscelesia Hampson, 1919
- Tribe Paranthrenini Niculescu, 1964
  - Nokona Matsumura 1931
  - Taikona Arita & Gorbunov, 2001
  - Scoliokona Kallies & Arita, 1998
  - Rubukona Fischer, 2007
  - Adixoa Hampson, [1893]
  - Pramila Moore, 1879
  - Vitacea Engelhardt, 1946
  - Phlogothauma Butler, 1882
  - Paranthrene H?bner, [1819]
  - Pseudosesia Felder, 1861
  - Albuna Edwards, 1881
  - Euhagena Edwards, 1881
  - Sincara Walker, 1856
  - Tirista Walker, [1865]
  - Thyranthrene Hampson, 1919
  - Sura Walker, 1856
- Tribe Synanthedonini Niculescu, 1964
  - Synanthedon H?bner, [1819]
  - Ravitria Gorbunov & Arita, 2000
  - Kantipuria Gorbunov & Arita, 1999
  - Kemneriella Bryk, 1947
  - Ichneumenoptera Hampson, [1893]
  - Paranthrenella Strand, [1916]
  - Anthedonella Gorbunov & Arita, 1999
  - Schimia Gorbunov & Arita, 1999
  - Uncothedon Gorbunov & Arita, 1999
  - Palmia Beutenm?ller, 1896
  - Podosesia M?schler, 1879
  - Sannina Walker, 1856
  - Nyctaegeria Le Cerf, 1914
  - Carmenta Edwards, 1881
  - Penstemonia Engelhardt, 1946
  - Camaegeria Strand, 1914
  - Malgassesia Le Cerf, 1922
  - Lophoceps Hampson, 1919
  - Tipulamima Holland, 1893
  - Rodolphia Le Cerf, 1911
  - Alcathoe Edwards, 1882
  - Pseudalcathoe Le Cerf, 1916
  - Macrotarsipus Hampson, [1893]
  - Grypopalpia Hampson, 1919
  - Hymenoclea Engelhardt, 1946
  - Euryphrissa Butler, 1874
  - Leptaegeria Le Cerf, 1916
  - Aegerina Le Cerf, 1917
  - Stenosphecia Le Cerf, 1917
  - Bembecia H?bner, [1819]
  - Pyropteron Newman, 1832
  - Dipchasphecia Capuse, 1973
  - Chamaesphecia Spuler, 1910
  - Weismanniola Naumann, 1971
  - Ichneumonella Gorbunov & Arita, 2005
  - Crinipus Hampson, 1896
- Genera unassigned to Tribe
  - Alonina Walker, 1856
  - Anaudia Wallengren, 1863
  - Augangela Meyrick, 1932
  - Austrosetia Felder, 1874
  - Ceritrypetes Bradley, 1956
  - Conopyga Felder, 1861
  - Echidgnathia Hampson, 1919
  - Episannina Aurivillius, 1905
  - Erismatica Meyrick, 1933
  - Gymnosophistis Meyrick, 1934
  - Hymenosphecia Le Cerf, 1917
  - Isocylindra Meyrick, 1930
  - Lepidopoda Hampson, 1900
  - Leuthneria Dalla Torre, 1925
  - Megalosphecia Le Cerf, 1916
  - Melisophista Meyrick, 1927
  - Metasphecia Le Cerf, 1917
  - Mimocrypta Naumann, 1971
  - Monopetalotaxis Wallengren, 1859
  - Pedalonina Gaede, 1929
  - Proaegeria Le Cerf, 1916
  - Pseudomelittia Le Cerf, 1917
  - Tradescanticola Hampson, 1919
  - Uranothyris Meyrick, 1933
  - Vespanthedon Le Cerf, 1917
  - Xenoses Durrant, 1924
  - Zhuosesia Yang, 1977

References

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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 St?mme 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.

External links

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Dr. Franz P?hringer: Sesiidae
Sesiidae of Serbia in English
Synanthedon exitiosa, peachtree borer on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site
Synanthedon scitula, dogwood borer on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site
Australian moths online Gallery
Deltakey Family description and nineteenth century plates.

Taxonomy

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The Family Sesiidae is a member of the Superfamily Sesioidea. Here is the complete "parentage" of Sesiidae:

Domain: Eukaryota Whittaker & Margulis,1978 - eukaryotes
- Kingdom: Animalia C. Linnaeus, 1758 - animals
  - Subkingdom: Bilateria (Hatschek, 1888) Cavalier-Smith, 1983 - bilaterians
    - Branch: Protostomia Grobben, 1908 - protostomes
      - Infrakingdom: Ecdysozoa A.M.A. Aguinaldo et al., 1997 ex T. Cavalier-Smith, 1998 - ecdysozoans
        Superphylum: Panarthropoda Cuvier
        Phylum: Arthropoda Latreille, 1829 - Arthropods
        Subphylum: Mandibulata Snodgrass, 1938
        Infraphylum: Atelocerata Heymons, 1901
        Superclass: Panhexapoda
        Class: Insecta C. Linnaeus, 1758 - Insects
        Subclass: Dicondylia
        Infraclass: Pterygota - Winged Insects
        Cohort: Myoglossata
        Superorder: Amphiesmenoptera
        Order: Lepidoptera - Butterflies and Moths
        Suborder: Glossata
        Infraorder: Heteroneura - a genus of Longhorned Beetles (Cerambycidae)
        Superfamily: Sesioidea
        Family: Sesiidae - Clearwing Moths

The Family Sesiidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Subfamily (4): Aegeriinae · Paranthreninae · Sesiinae · Tinthiinae
Tribe (4): Paranthrenini · Pennisetiini · Sesiini · Synanthedonini
Genus (147): Adixoa · Adixoana · Aegeria · Aegerina · Aegerosphecia · Aenigmina · Agriomelissa · Albuna · Alcathoe · Alonina · Amphithales · Anaudia · Aschistophleps · Augangela · Balataea · Bembecia · Bombosceles · Calasesia · Callisphecia · Callithia · Camaegeria · Carmenta · Caudicornia · Ceritrypetes · Chamaesphecia · Chamanthedon · Chimaerosphecia · Cissuvora · Conopia · Conopsia · Conopyga · Crinipus · Cryptomima · Dasysphecia · Desmopoda · Dipchaspecia · Dipsosphecia · Echidgnathia · Episannina · Erismatica · Eudiakonoffia · Euhagena · Euryphrissa · Ficivora · Gaea · Glossosphecia · Grypopalpia · Gymnosophistis · Heterosphecia · Homogyna · Hovaesia · Hymenoclea · Hymenosphecia · Hypanthedon · Hypomelittia · Ichneumenoptera · Idiopogon · Isocylindra · Isothamnis · Kemneriella · Lenyra · Lenyrhova · Lepidopoda · Leptaegeria · Leuthneria · Lophoceps · Macroscelesia · Macrotarsipodes · Macrotarsipus · Malgassesia · Megalosphecia · Melanosphecia · Melisophista · Melittia · Melittina · Metasphecia · Micrecia · Microsynanthedon · Monopetalotaxis · Myrmecosphecia · Neosphecia · Neotinthia · Nokona · Nyctaegeria · Oligophlebia · Oligophlebiella · Osminia · Pallene · Palmia · Paradoxecia · Paranthrene · Paranthrenina · Paranthrenopsis · Parasesia · Pedalonina · Pennisetia · Penstemonia · Phlogothauma · Podosesia · Premelittia · Proaegeria · Pseudalcathoe · Pseudomelittia · Pyranthrene · Pyropteron · Rectala · Rodolphia · Sannina · Sanninoidea · Scalarignathia · Scasiba · Sesia · Signaphora · Similipepsis · Sincara · Sophona · Sphecia · Sphecosesia · Spherodoptera · Stenosphecia · Sura · Sylvora · Synansphecia · Synanthedon · Tarsopoda · Teleosphecia · Thyranthrene · Tinthia · Tipulamima · Tipulia · Tirista · Toleria · Toosa · Tradescanticola · Trichobaptes · Trichocerota · Trilochana · Tyrictaca · Uranothyris · Vespaegeria · Vespamima · Vespanthedon · Vitacea · Weismanniola · Xenoses · Zenodoxus · Zhuosesia
Species: ZipcodeZoo has pages for 1,756 species and subspecies in the Family Sesiidae.

Genera

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Adixoa

Adixoa is a genus of moths in the Sesiidae family. [more]

Adixoana

Adixoana is a genus of moths in the Urodidae family containing only one species, Adixoana auripyga, which is known from Equatorial Guinea. The species was formerly included in the Sesiidae family. [more]

Aegeria

Egeria was a nymph attributed a legendary role in the early history of Rome as a divine consort and counselor of the Sabine second king of Rome, Numa Pompilius, to whom she imparted laws and rituals pertaining to ancient Roman religion. Her name is used as an eponym for a female advisor or counselor. [more]

Aegerina

Aegerina is a genus of moths in the Sesiidae family. [more]

Aegerosphecia

Aegerosphecia is a genus of moths in the Sesiidae family. [more]

Aenigmina

Aenigmina is a genus of moths in the Sesiidae family. [more]

Agriomelissa

Agriomelissa is a genus of moths in the Sesiidae family. [more]

Albuna

Albuna is a genus of moths in the Sesiidae family. [more]

Alcathoe

The Minyades (Greek: ) were three sisters in Greek mythology who were daughters of Minyas, and the protagonists of a myth about the perils of neglecting the worship of Dionysus. Their names were Alcathoe (or Alcithoe), Leucippe and Arsippe (although instead of "Arsippe", Claudius Aelianus calls the latter "Aristippa", and Plutarch "Arsino?"; Ovid uses "Leuconoe" instead of "Leucippe"). [more]

Alonina

Alonina is a genus of moths in the Sesiidae family. [more]

Sesiidae

Overview

References

External links

Taxonomy

Genera

Adixoa

Adixoana

Aegeria

Aegerina

Aegerosphecia

Aenigmina

Agriomelissa

Albuna

Alcathoe

Alonina

Amphithales

Anaudia

Aschistophleps

Augangela

Balataea

Bembecia

Bombosceles

Calasesia

Callisphecia

Callithia

Camaegeria

Carmenta

Caudicornia

Ceritrypetes

Chamaesphecia

Chamanthedon

Chimaerosphecia

Cissuvora

Conopia

Conopsia

Conopyga

Crinipus

Cryptomima

Dasysphecia

Desmopoda

Dipchaspecia

Dipsosphecia

Echidgnathia

Episannina

Erismatica

Eudiakonoffia

Euhagena

Euryphrissa

Ficivora

Gaea

Glossosphecia

Grypopalpia

Gymnosophistis

Heterosphecia

Homogyna

Hovaesia

Hymenoclea

Hymenosphecia

Hypanthedon

Hypomelittia

Ichneumenoptera

Idiopogon

Isocylindra

Isothamnis

Kemneriella

Lenyra

Lenyrhova

Lepidopoda

Leptaegeria

Leuthneria

Lophoceps

Macroscelesia

Macrotarsipodes

Macrotarsipus

Malgassesia

Megalosphecia

Melanosphecia

Melisophista

Melittia