Chamaesphecia mysiniformis (Boisduval, 1840)
 (previously known as Sesia mysiniformis)
SESIINAE,   SESIIDAE,   SESIOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

This Caterpillar was introduced into Australia deliberately, and later into other states in order to control:

  • White Horehound ( Marrubium vulgare, LAMIACEAE ).

    The caterpillars also have been found feeding on other plants in LAMIACEAE including:

  • Black Horehound ( Ballota nigra ),
  • Downy Woundwort ( Stachys germanica ), and
  • Mountain Ironwort ( Sideritis montana ).

    Chamaesphecia mysiniformis
    (Photo: courtesy of E. Priesner, Spain)

    The adult moth is mainly dark brown, except for some yellow marks on the body, some white rings on the abdomen, and having clear areas on the wings.

    Chamaesphecia mysiniformis
    (Photo: courtesy of the Sesiidae Research Group)

    The species originated in southern Europe and northern Africa, including

  • France, and
  • Spain,

    and has been introduced in countries around the world including

  • New Zealand

    and Australia in

  • Victoria in 1997, and
  • South Australia in 1999.

    Further reading :

    Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Dechauffour de Boisduval,
    Rhopalocera,
    Genera et Index Methodicus Europaeorum Lepidopterorum,
    Volume 1 (1840), p. 42, No. 327.

    Jules Pierre Rambur,
    Faune Entomologique de l’Andalousie,
    Volume 2 (1840), p. 151.

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    (updated 4 September 2009, 7 April 2026)