Which family has clear wings that lack scales?

Which family has clear wings that lack scales?

• A. Tortricidae
• B. Hesperiidae
• C. Papilionidae
• D. Sesiidae

Answer: (D)

Clear wings that lack scales come from a wing membrane that remains mostly bare of scales, letting light pass through. In the moth family Sesiidae, the wings are hyaline because scales are sparse or absent over large areas, giving a transparent look. This transparency is paired with a wasp-like shape and behavior, which helps sesiids blend into daytime environments and deter predators. The other families typically have wings covered with scales that produce color and pattern, so they don’t appear clear. Therefore, the family with clear, scale-free wings is the Sesiidae.

Clear wings that lack scales come from a wing membrane that remains mostly bare of scales, letting light pass through. In the moth family Sesiidae, the wings are hyaline because scales are sparse or absent over large areas, giving a transparent look. This transparency is paired with a wasp-like shape and behavior, which helps sesiids blend into daytime environments and deter predators. The other families typically have wings covered with scales that produce color and pattern, so they don’t appear clear. Therefore, the family with clear, scale-free wings is the Sesiidae.