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Snowberry Clearwing

Hemaris diffinis

Photo by AshleyAkers
Published on Project Noah
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38.2101, -81.384

Field Notes

Description:

Appears to be almost bee-like in coloration, the body and wings are similar to that of a hummingbird, the tail reminds me of a tail you would see on a crawdad where it fans out at the end, and the face is like that of a butterfly. It is not very long, maybe an inch or so.

Habitat:

Known as a wanderer it finds some place cool during the heat of the day and places full of flowers during early mornings and late evenings where they can gather nectar.

Notes:

I have seen the Hummingbird Hawk Moth only twice and each time it was toward evening before it got dark traveling to different flowers.

Reference Links:

EOL Search: Hummingbird Hawk Moth

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (5)
AshleyAkers
I believe a snowberry clearwing is a more accurate classification. This one looks a lot like the one on the website you gave me. Thank you Alice
alicelongmartin
You gave very accurate information on the Hawksmoth. Good picture , Good story!
MichaelFulbright
This is a great website for Lepidopterans: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Hemaris-diffinis
AshleyAkers
To be honest, I'm not sure. I've never heard of or seen one of these until a few days before I took this picture. I still have a lot to learn lol
MichaelFulbright
Do you know how to tell this one apart from the snowberry clearwing? Or are they one in the same?

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Photographed
PublishedJune 12, 2011

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