Skip to main content
Close

HUMMINGBIRD CLEARWING MOTH

Hemaris thysbe

Photo by Ingrid3
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

41.1414, -73.5425

Field Notes

Habitat:

found this one in my nature photo archives SO BEAUTIFUL!

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)

From what I have learned, this could be a form of Batesian Mimicry as the hummingbird moth imitates the appearance of the the hummingbird, which makes sense as it mistakes its predators by making them think its a hummingbird, when it's not. https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/hummingbird_moth.shtml I got the idea after finding another insect within the same genus (Hemaris) that mimics the appearance of a bumblebee. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1034&context=entodistmasters
those are great questions! i wonder if scientists have addressed any aspect of this in any of their studies?
That moth looks amazing! Does it follow some type of imitation of a hummingbird to prevent predators from eating it while eating similar food as the hummingbird? I'm actually really curious about the specific type of imitation the humming bird moth uses on.

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon