Skip to main content
Close

Hummingbird Clearwing and Snowberry Clearwing

Hemaris thysbe and Hemaris diffinis

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

38.6051, -81.7299

Field Notes

Description:

The first three pictures are of a Hummingbird Clearwing, which mimics a hummingbird. Pictured here also is a Snowberry Clearwing with no red on it (last two pictures). This one mimics a bee.

Notes:

Found among a butterfly bush.

Species ID Suggestions

Hummingbird Clearwing and Snowberry Clearwing

Hemaris thysbe and Hemaris diffinis

Comments (5)

From what I gather, it's all in the taxonomic breakdown. The moths that Ashely took pics of are both of the genus Hemaris, which are collectively know as the Clearwings. This genus is in the family Sphingidae, which are know as the sphinx moths, hawk moths, and hornworms. In Britain, they refer to the three species of Hemaris as bee hawks. So you would not be wrong by calling them Snowberry hawk moths, but more specifically they are clearwings. There is a Eurasian species know as the Hummingbird hawk moth, Macroglossum stellatarum. Things like this are why I like the scientific names better!
Michael can you explain why none of these are called Hawkmoth? That is how I have learned them. Am I out of the loop?
Very beautiful moths..!!
In the first three pictures you have a Hummingbird Clearwing, and the last two pics are of a snowberry. The Snowberry mimics bees, while you can probably guess what the hummingbird clearwing mimics. You can tell them apart by size, thorax coloration and the wing coloration. These are excellent pictures! I haven't seen any Hummingbird Clearwings yet this year.

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