The hummingbird clearwing moth is a fascinating creature known for its unique appearance and behavior. These moths closely resemble hummingbirds as they hover over flowers, sipping nectar with their long proboscis during the day. Although they are part of the sphinx moth family, their distinct features and daytime habits have earned them a special spot in the hearts of nature enthusiasts.
These moths can be found throughout various parts of the United States, with their range extending from the Pacific Northwest to the southeastern areas of the country. Their favorite flowers to feed on include honeysuckle, dogbane, and members of the rose family, like hawthorn and cherries source.
The adult hummingbird clearwing moth has a furry greenish-yellow or tan body, a reddish-brown band across the abdomen, and a wingspan of 1½ to 2¼ inches source. As they go through a complete metamorphosis, starting from a larva and transforming into a winged adult, these moths play a vital role in pollination, making them essential to our ecosystem.
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth Basics
Identification and Characteristics
The hummingbird clearwing moth is a fascinating insect that resembles a hummingbird in appearance and behavior. They belong to the Sphingidae family, also known as sphinx moths.
- Body: fuzzy olive to golden olive above, whitish below in the front part
- Wings: transparent with reddish-brown borders
- Wingspan: 1½ to 2¼ inches
Their unique features, such as a protruding head, large eyes, and a furry thorax, make them resemble bumblebees (source). They also have a conical abdomen and hover over flowers to feed on nectar, using a long proboscis.
Sphinx Moth Family
Hummingbird clearwing moths belong to the Sphingidae family, which consists of numerous species known for their rapid flight and agile hovering abilities. The hummingbird clearwing is a species in this family that mimics hummingbirds and bumblebees to blend in while visiting flowers.
Sphinx Moth Family Key Traits:
- Rapid flight and hovering abilities
- Large, prominent eyes
- Feeds on nectar from various flowers
While hummingbird clearwing moths are generally found during the day, most other sphinx moths are nocturnal. However, they all share a common need for specific food plants for their larvae, such as honeysuckle, dogbane, and members of the rose family (source).
Comparison Table
| Feature | Hummingbird Clearwing Moth | Other Sphinx Moths |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 1½ to 2¼ inches | Varies by species |
| Coloration | Olive, golden olive, and reddish-brown | Varies by species |
| Active Time of Day | Daytime | Mostly Nighttime |
| Larval Food Plants | Honeysuckle, dogbane, rose family | Varies by species |
| Predators | Birds, spiders, larger insects | Birds, spiders, larger insects |
Behavior and Life Cycle
Feeding and Pollination
The Hummingbird Clearwing Moth feeds on nectar from various flowers, including honeysuckle, dogbane, and some members of the rose family, like hawthorn, cherries, and plums1. They exhibit pollinator behavior by hovering over flowers and using their long proboscis to feed on nectar2.
Reproduction and Development
- Female moths lay eggs on specific food plants.
- After hatching, caterpillars feed on these plants.
- Larvae develop into pupa and form a cocoon.
- The adult moth eventually emerges.
Predators and Defense Mechanisms
Comparison Table: Hummingbird Clearwing Moth vs. Bumblebee
| Feature | Hummingbird Clearwing Moth | Bumblebee |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Fuzzy olive to golden olive above, whitish below5 | Mostly black, with yellow stripes |
| Wings | Clear portions with some black scales6 | Opaque, usually black or brown |
| Legs | Black | Black or brown |
| Pollination | Yes | Yes |
| Feeding | Nectar from flowers | Nectar and pollen from flowers |
Habitat and Geographic Distribution
Hummingbird clearwing moths are mainly found in North America. They’re also observed in parts of Asia and Europe, but not in Africa. These fascinating moths are widespread across North America, from Newfoundland to Texas.
Their preferred habitats include:
- Meadows
- Fields
- Open woods
- Gardens
These moths are common in areas with diverse flora, as they feed on nectar from various flowers1. Their larvae specifically need food plants like honeysuckle, dogbane, and some members of the rose family, such as hawthorn, cherries, and plums2.
In summary, the hummingbird clearwing moth can be found in various habitats across North America and some parts of Asia and Europe. They prefer meadows, fields, and other open areas with diverse flora to support their nectar and larval food needs.
Attracting and Supporting Clearwing Moths
Garden Plants and Flowers
To attract hummingbird clearwing moths to your garden, consider planting flowers rich in nectar that they can feed on. Some examples of flowers preferred by clearwing moths include:
- Phlox: These flowers come in various colors and can easily attract clearwing moths to your garden.
- Verbena: This plant has beautiful blooms that offer plenty of nectar to support clearwing moths.
It is noteworthy that clearwing moths are also attracted to other flowering plants such as honeysuckle and dogbane.
Host Plants
Besides providing nectar-rich flowers, it is essential to offer host plants for the larvae of hummingbird clearwing moths. Some common host plants include:
- Hawthorns
- Cherry and plum trees
- Viburnums
These plants belong to the rose family and have leaflets that cater to the dietary needs of the clearwing moth larvae. Offering a variety of host plants in your garden can help support the entire lifecycle of these fascinating creatures.
Different Species of Clearwing Moths
Hummingbird clearwing moths are fascinating creatures that belong to the sphinx moth family, scientifically known as Sphingidae. These moths are often mistaken for hummingbirds due to their similar size and hovering behavior while feeding on nectar.
There are several species of clearwing moths that exhibit unique traits and appearances. Some notable species include the Snowberry Clearwing, Hemaris diffinis, and the White-lined Sphinx.
The Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) is distinguished by its bumblebee-like appearance. Some features of this species are:
- Olive to golden olive color on the upper body
- Dark burgundy or blackish abdomen
- Whitish legs and front part of the body
In contrast, the Hemaris diffinis or the Hummingbird Sphinx, also known as the Common Clearwing, exhibits a slightly different appearance:
- Reddish-brown coloration on parts of the body
- Clear portions on their wings, earning them the “clearwing” name
Lastly, the White-lined Sphinx is another hawk moth species with distinct characteristics:
- Large size and striking patterns on its wings
- White lines across the wings and pink bands across the abdomen
Here’s a comparison table of the three species mentioned:
| Species | Colors | Wing Pattern | Similar To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowberry Clearwing | Olive to golden, dark burgundy | Clear portions | Bumblebee |
| Hemaris diffinis | Reddish-brown | Clear portions | Hummingbird |
| White-lined Sphinx | White lines, pink bands | Bold patterns | Hawk moths |
These clearwing moth species play an essential role as pollinators, benefiting various plants and ecosystems. It’s crucial to protect and preserve these delicate Lepidoptera, as they are an integral part of maintaining a healthy environment.
Interesting Facts and Comparisons
Hummingbird clearwing moth (Hemaris spp.) is a fascinating species of moths from the Sphingidae family. They are also known as diurnal or day-flying moths.
- Unique features of clearwing hummingbird moths include their hovering behavior, similar to hummingbirds.
- With their long proboscis, they feed on nectar from flowers like bee balm.
These moths have several striking characteristics:
- Furry body
- Large eyes
- Protruding heads
- Conical abdomen
Compared to other moths and butterflies, they have some interesting differences:
| Feature | Clearwing Hummingbird Moth | Other Moths | Butterflies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antennae | Short and thick | Feathery | Clubbed |
| Legs | Long and strong | Varied | Long |
| Activity Period | Diurnal | Nocturnal | Diurnal |
Their caterpillars primarily feed on specific plants, such as honeysuckle and dogbane. When it comes to pollination, clearwing hummingbird moths play an essential role as pollinators.
In conclusion, Hemaris spp. – the hummingbird clearwing moth – is an extraordinary day-flying moth with unique hovering capabilities and beautiful physical characteristics that make them stand out among other moths and butterflies.
Footnotes
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/hummingbird_moth.shtml ↩ ↩2
- https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/hummingbird-moth-hemaris-thysbe/ ↩ ↩2
- https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/hummingbird-clearwing ↩
- https://education.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/hummingbird-clearwing ↩
- https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/hummingbird-clearwing ↩
- https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/bumblebee-moth-and-hummingbird-moth ↩
35 Comments. Leave new
Hi Norm: According to the checklists of moths of Illinois there are only two species of clearwing moths in that state; the Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) and the Snowberry Clearwing (H. diffinis). H. diffinis is a yellow and black bumblebee mimic with a narrow outer forewing margin, so that leaves H. thysbe. This species is most easily confused with the very similar Slender Clearwing (H. gracilis), a species apparently not reported from Illinois but that does occur in states to the north and east. H. thysbe and H. gracilis are distinguished from each other by markings on the flanks below the wings (unfortunately not visible on your photo) and on the forewings. The uneven inner edge of the reddish-brown border of the forewing indicates that yours is H. thysbe. Regards.
K
Hi Ian
I took pictures of the exact same species on July 19th in Nine Mile River, NS. We have been debating what he was. At first my husband thouht he was a baby hummingbird, then I got a great closeup. We were calling ours a BumbleBird, just until we found out what it was.
Have you seen many around? I am fascinated with them now.
I was able to identify one of these little guys on my butterfly bush thanks to this website 🙂
That is one really awesome bug!
I took several truly awesome pics today of a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth! I was sooooo excited! I have seen pics on this site and mine are much better! Would you like me to send them to you? Thanks, Rita Pearson Mechanicsville, VA USA
Hi Rita,
Please do. Use our standard form: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/ask-whats-that-bug/ and put Hummingbird Clearwing in the subject line.
Hummingbird Clearing Moth. I have found the moth in my my garden.I live in Waukesha County,
Wisconsin. If anyone has more info on this moth I would like it. Thank You.
This is a very BUSY MOTH thank you. I hope someone has Info??
Hummingbird Clearing Moth. I have found the moth in my my garden.I live in Waukesha County,
Wisconsin. If anyone has more info on this moth I would like it. Thank You.
This is a very BUSY MOTH thank you. I hope someone has Info??
See Bill Oehlke’s page at: http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/hthysbe.htm
I know this is such an old post that Dorothy may never see my response, but I thought she might be interested to know that some years lately we have had quite a few hawkmoths way up here in Fairbanks. I grew up in Fairbanks and I am pretty sure we didn’t have hawkmoths back then, so perhaps like some other species they have moved north as the climate has warmed.
Thanks for your observations.
Is it a moth or a hummingbird?
A Moth.
saw one of these yesterday hovering over my dog’s poop, never saw one before ever! pretty amazing insect even my husband was amazed!
Wow, we knew that male butterflies sometimes take moisture from fresh feces, but we were not aware that moths also derive nourishment in a similar manner.
My family and I found one of these today on our front porch in Eau Claire Wisconsin
We believe we have A H Bird Clearwing Moth in our back yard…amazing. I have never seen one before…we live in CT
Dear Bugalaska,
So glad you posted this pic and info! We just saw one here in Nashville spending the ENTIRE evening pursuing our Lantana and Hibiscus. Swore it was a Hummingbird until we noticed the antennae. Took photos and video trying to get a closer look. He was very friendly and not worried about us at all- practically landed on us. Hamming it up for photos too, apparently! What a treat to see one of these! So interesting! None of us has ever seen one before. So amazing how much he resembles a Hummingbird! Thanks for posting the photo of the still wings so we could see more clearly!
Dear Bugalaska,
So glad you posted this pic and info! We just saw one here in Nashville spending the ENTIRE evening pursuing our Lantana and Hibiscus. Swore it was a Hummingbird until we noticed the antennae. Took photos and video trying to get a closer look. He was very friendly and not worried about us at all- practically landed on us. Hamming it up for photos too, apparently! What a treat to see one of these! So interesting! None of us has ever seen one before. So amazing how much he resembles a Hummingbird! Thanks for posting the photo of the still wings so we could see more clearly!
We love reading such enthusiastic comments.
Thanks so much for the info. These are the most beautiful little moth
I’ve never seen one until today and found your site as I tried to figure out what it was. It’s August in VA. Pretty fascinating bug!
I have found this in my home state: New Hampshire more up north though all over the place! Didnt know it was classified just thought it was a mistake between a bumblebee and humming bird. Very interesting and they do not seem so bother anyone!
found one in Texas it was black and yellow
Found in my yard in Decatur,Il
East Tennessee has them in a brown and yellow bee like markings. The family has always thought that they were a variety of Tobacco Hawk Moth.
I found this strange moth like thingy on the back of my car today in Wilmot NS..
It is about two inches long with clear wings and a big head/body..I have pictures but can’t seem to add them here
I found this strange moth like thingy on the back of my car today in Wilmot NS..
It is about two inches long with clear wings and a big head/body..I have pictures but can’t seem to add them here
https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20476507_1816102775367155_8659599281070898001_n.jpg?oh=d8a9cee4131e6b216d567b059f385404&oe=59F998DD
This is a Cicada.
I saw one of these yesterday going from flower to flower, my neighbor said it was a hummingbird moth, which I have never heard of. Same look as the clearwig shown above. Tried to get a good picture, but those little wings were moving too fast.
Just saw one today for the first time drinking nectar from my Bee Balm plants! Have never seen one before in my life and looked it up and happened upon this site. I live in the North Georgia mountains. So cool to discover something I’ve never seen before!
Saw one on July 18, 2018.
I have never seen one before, it was amazing.
Feeling special that I saw it.
Saw one on July 18, 2018.
I have never seen one before, it was amazing.
Feeling special that I saw it.
I had just seen this on our weather network and was intrigued. Then couple days later after big rain one was in my driveway by a tire. One wing very wet. So I put it on a paper and took to drier garden area. They are amazing looking.