Species Details
Sesia tibiale
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameCottonwod Crown Borer
SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta in July.
IdentificationA large clearwing borer moth (wingspan about 3 cm). The body is bright yellow banded with black. The wings are unscaled and translucent except for the fringes and veins, which are lined with brown scales. The male antennae are finely bipectinate. Sexes similar. A near perfect mimic of yellow-jacket wasps. Unmistakable.
Scientific Name
Sesia tibiale
Common Name
Cottonwod Crown Borer
Habitat
It is found associated with mature poplars and willows.
Seasonality
Adults have been collected in Alberta in July.
Identification
A large clearwing borer moth (wingspan about 3 cm). The body is bright yellow banded with black. The wings are unscaled and translucent except for the fringes and veins, which are lined with brown scales. The male…
A large clearwing borer moth (wingspan about 3 cm). The body is bright yellow banded with black. The wings are unscaled and translucent except for the fringes and veins, which are lined with brown scales. The male antennae are finely bipectinate. Sexes similar. A near perfect mimic of yellow-jacket wasps. Unmistakable.
Life History
The larvae are borers in the stems and roots of the hosts. The life-cycle requires two years to complete, with the moth overwintering twice in the larval stage. They pupate in the spring of the third year, and emerge…
The larvae are borers in the stems and roots of the hosts. The life-cycle requires two years to complete, with the moth overwintering twice in the larval stage. They pupate in the spring of the third year, and emerge shortly thereafter. The adults are diurnal, but are rarely seen.
Diet Info
The larval host is species of poplar, and to a lesser extent willows. They appear to prefer stressed of damaged host trees.
Range
Widespread in western North America, east at least across the Prairie Provinces, and south to California and Arizona. In Alberta it has been collected mainly in the foothills and parklands, but likely occurs…
Widespread in western North America, east at least across the Prairie Provinces, and south to California and Arizona. In Alberta it has been collected mainly in the foothills and parklands, but likely occurs throughout the wooded parts of the province, wherever hardwoods are present. It has been recorded in adjacent Saskatchewan in both the arid Grasslands National Park area and at Uranium City.
Notes
Also called the American Hornet Moth (Wong and Ives, 1988). It is rarely encountered unless baited with synthetic pheromones.
Citation
Page Citation for Sesia tibiale
Page Citation
"Species Details - Sesia tibiale, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6200. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
References
Author
Eichlin, T.D. and W.D. Duckworth
Title
Sesioidea, Sesiidae
Publication Date
1988
Author
Ives, W. G. H. and H. R. Wong
Title
Tree and shrub insects of the prairie provinces
Publication Date
1988
Pages
327
Specimen Information
There are 9 specimens of this Species.
UASM49533 - Sesia tibiale
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Canmore
Date Collected1995-07-19
UASM49534 - Sesia tibiale
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cold Creek
Collected ByDunne, S.
Date Collected2000-07-18
UASM49535 - Sesia tibiale
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected1998-07-08
UASM110951 - Sesia tibiale
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Schmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2006-06-28
UASM110952 - Sesia tibiale
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Schmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2006-06-28
UASM99831 - Sesia tibiale
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2009-08-09/2009-08-11
UASM99832 - Sesia tibiale
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2009-08-09/2009-08-12
UASM99833 - Sesia tibiale
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2009-08-16
JD2717 - Sesia tibiale
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Idaho, Custer county, Clayton
Collected ByDombroskie, J. J. et al
Date Collected2007-07-03