Sesiidae

[Vodkaman]

Photographed in Bandung, W Java.

I have photographed this wonderful creature on five occasions over the last two years. At first I thought it to be some kind of exotic bee, the way it hovered in front of a bloom to feed.

I eventually found a link to a moth that looks identical; Melittia sangaica nipponica (http://natural-japan.net/?p=187), but I think to go to species level would be a bit presumptuous, especially as my reference is so far away in Japan and the validity of the source could not be guaranteed.

Dave

Update - decided to go with Melittia cf sangaica as a safe ID.

Image No5 removed, posted in error (wrong species).

[Psyche]

Looks like an excellent match, but ssp nipponica is Paleartic & ssp sangaica is in the Oriental tropics.
The JPmoth website is usually very reliable.

TL Seow:Cheers.

[Vodkaman]

Yes, according to the species name, it should not be in Bandung, but the JP is the only image reference that I have found that came anywhere near this moth.

Should I change the ID to melittia or to the full melittia sangaica nipponica or leave as it is. I don't mind admitting that I am out of my depth here.

Dave

[Painted Jezebel]

There is very little info available on this Family. Personaly, not a single one of my Sesiidae photos has been identified and I have not been able to find any specialist prepared to attempt ids on photographs only.

[Vodkaman]

Thanks TL and Les.

From what you have both written and the distance to the source country, it is probably best to leave it as sesiidae sp. I will leave the reference to the JPmoth site, to give a lead to anyone researching in future.

Dave

[Psyche]

Yes, according to the species name, it should not be in Bandung, but the JP is the only image reference that I have found that came anywhere near this moth.

Should I change the ID to melittia or to the full melittia sangaica nipponica or leave as it is. I don't mind admitting that I am out of my depth here.

Dave

The name Melittia sangaica is probably correct since this species is wide-ranging.

The subspecies (ssp.) or geographical race is incorrect, as ssp nipponica occurs in Japan, nothern China, Korea etc. ie the Paleartic region.

Subspecies sangaica occur from Taiwan to SE Asia & India so this is likely Melittia sangaica sangaica.

You could leave it as Melittia sangaica sangaica, no harm there.
Or, if you prefer as Melittia cf sangaica , meaning it is close to this species & could be it. ( cf= conferus, L. to compare.)

Melittia sangaica sangaica Taiwan,
http://www.boldsystems.org/pics/_w300/GSCMA/IMG_0018%2B1312304936.JPG

TL Seow:cheers:
PS. Pix 5 looks like a different species. Legs not hairy & forewing unmarked.

[Vodkaman]

Most helpful TL. thanks very much for your time and effort.

I like the Melittia cf sangaica idea and will go with that.

Sorry about image 5. I accidentally popped it into the wrong folder. Should have gone in sphingidae. I will try to remove it.

Dave

[hkmoths]

I agree with Melittia sp. cf. sangaica

great series of photos