Bug FAQIthaca Clearwing Moth
Carmenta ithacae · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Sesiidae
The Ithaca Clearwing Moth is a root-boring moth in the family Sesiidae. Its larvae feed on plants such as Helenium and Aster species, and adults are seen from late June through July. The species has been released in parts of Australia to control the weed Parthenium hysterophorus, where it has become widespread.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
It is a root-boring moth belonging to the family Sesiidae.
Source: Wikipedia
How to get rid of it
It has been introduced to Australia as a biological control agent for the weed Parthenium hysterophorus and is now common in central and northern Queensland and recently in the south.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The caterpillars feed on various composites, especially Helenium and Aster species.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adult moths are on the wing from late June through July.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range includes North America, with records from the same list of U.S. states.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 28 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Ohio, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan, Virginia, Indiana.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When can I see adult Ithaca Clearwing Moths?
Adults are active from late June to July.
Source: Wikipedia
Has this moth been used for biological control?
Yes, it has been released in Australia to control the weed Parthenium hysterophorus and is now widespread in parts of Queensland.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Sesiidae)
Purplish CopperLycaena helloides
Squash Vine BorerEichlinia cucurbitaeDamages trees, gardens or crops
Bronze CopperLycaena hyllus
Maple Callus Borer MothSynanthedon acerniDamages trees, gardens or crops
Southern Red RimBiblis hyperia
Peachtree Borer MothSynanthedon exitiosaDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmenta_ithacae
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-24.