Summary ⁴

Hemaris thysbe, commonly known as the hummingbird clearwing, is a moth of the Sphingidae (hawkmoth) family. Coloration varies between individuals, but typically the moth is olive green and burgundy on its back, and white or yellow and burgundy on the underside. Its wings are transparent with a reddish brown border. It has light colored legs, which combined with the lack of striping on the underside is diagnostic. Beating its wings rapidly, H. thysbe hovers to collect nectar from a variety of flowers. The combination of its appearance and its behavior commonly leads to it being confused with a hummingbird or bumblebee.

Host Plants ⁵

Hummingbird clearwing caterpillars may be found on viburnums, honeysuckles and cherries.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) floracliff, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by floracliff
2. (c) Distant Hill Gardens, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/59898141@N06/7625212388/
3. (c) Ilona L, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/14379121@N03/11445070554/
4. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemaris_thysbe
5. (c) floracliff, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• BugGuide
• Butterflies and Moths of North America
• CUIC Insect Images
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• Maryland Biodiversity Project
• Maryland Moths
• Mass Moths
• Moth Photographers Group
• Moths of North Carolina
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• Pacific Northwest Moths

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