Carmenta phoradendri
Encyclopedia
The Mistletoe Borer is a moth
of the Sesiidae
family. It was described by Engelhardt in 1946. It is known from south-eastern Arizona
, Mexico
and southern Texas
.
Adults are on wing in August and September.
Larvae feed on Phoradendron tomentosum
growing on mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa).
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
of the Sesiidae
Sesiidae
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...
family. It was described by Engelhardt in 1946. It is known from south-eastern Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and southern Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Adults are on wing in August and September.
Larvae feed on Phoradendron tomentosum
Phoradendron tomentosum
Leafy Mistletoe, Phoradendron tomentosum is a plant parasite. It is characterized by its larger leaves and smaller berries than dwarf mistletoe. Leafy mistletoe seldom kill but they do rob their hosts of moisture and some minerals, causing stress during drought and reducing crop productions on...
growing on mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa).