Snowberry Clearwing vs Hummingbird Clearwing: A Friendly Comparison

Snowberry clearwing and hummingbird clearwing are two fascinating moth species that, at first glance, might be mistaken for hummingbirds. They both have a unique hovering flight pattern and feed on nectar from flowers, similar to actual hummingbirds. In this article, we’ll delve into the differences and similarities between these two delightful creatures.

The snowberry clearwing, scientifically known as Hemaris diffinis, has specific food plants for its larvae, including species of honeysuckle, dogbane, and rose family members like hawthorn, cherries, and plums source. On the other hand, the hummingbird clearwing, or Hemaris thysbe, is identifiable by its “furry” greenish-yellow or tan body, complete with a wide reddish-brown band across the abdomen and a wingspan of 1½ to 2¼ inches source.

As you explore the enchanting world of snowberry clearwing and hummingbird clearwing moths, you’ll come to appreciate their distinctive characteristics and behaviors. So, let’s dive into discovering more about these lovely creatures that bring a touch of magic to your garden.

Overview of Snowberry and Hummingbird Clearwing

Taxonomy and Identification

The Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) and Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) are two species of clearwing moths that belong to the same family, Sphingidae. These moths are often mistaken for hummingbirds or bees due to their hovering behavior while feeding on nectar from flowers. They are well-known pollinators and can be commonly found in gardens and other flower-rich habitats.

Snowberry Clearwing moths are commonly found in Arkansas, while the Hummingbird Clearwing can be found in the northern United States and throughout much of the eastern half of the country.

Distinct Features

While both species have similarities in appearance and behavior, there are some key differences between the two:

• Size: The Snowberry Clearwing is smaller than the Hummingbird Clearwing.
• Coloration: The Snowberry Clearwing has more black and yellow coloring, whereas the Hummingbird Clearwing has more green or olive coloring on its back.
• Forewing pattern: The Hummingbird Clearwing has a ragged boundary between the dark and clear areas on its forewing, as opposed to a smoother boundary in the Snowberry Clearwing.

Below is a comparison table of the two species’ features:

Recognizing these distinct features and understanding their habitats will help you better appreciate the fascinating world of clearwing moths. So, next time you spot a Snowberry or Hummingbird Clearwing in your garden, take a moment to admire their unique beauty and vital roles as pollinators.

Physical Characteristics

Colour and Size

The Snowberry Clearwing and Hummingbird Clearwing moths are both members of the Sphingidae family and share some similarities in appearance. However, they also have distinctive characteristics that set them apart.

Snowberry Clearwing

• Yellow to vibrant green body with black markings.
• Wingspan ranges from 1.4 to 2.0 inches.
• Mostly transparent wings with black spots.
• More info at Missouri Department of Conservation.

Hummingbird Clearwing

• Greenish-yellow or tan “furry” body.
• Wide reddish-brown band across the abdomen.
• Wingspan ranges from 1.5 to 2.25 inches.
• More info at Wisconsin Horticulture.

Wings and Flight

Both the Snowberry and Hummingbird Clearwings are known to have clear wings, hence their name. These wings allow them to hover and swiftly dart from flower to flower, mimicking the flight patterns of bees or small hummingbirds.

Snowberry Clearwing

• Transparent wings except for outer dark areas.
• Wings have a ragged boundary between the clear and dark regions.
• More flight information at Arthropod Museum – University of Arkansas.

Hummingbird Clearwing

• Mostly transparent wings, similar to Snowberry Clearwing.
• Diagonal dark area at the base of the forewing.
• More flight information at Missouri Department of Conservation.

Thorax and Legs

The thorax and legs of these moths are adapted to their unique feeding habits, allowing them to nimbly maneuver while feeding on nectar.

Snowberry Clearwing

• Thorax is covered in hairs, making it look furry.
• Legs are black.
• More thorax and leg information at Arthropod Museum – University of Arkansas.

Hummingbird Clearwing

• Large, furry thorax similar to Snowberry Clearwing.
• Protruding head with large eyes.
• Conical abdomen extends well beyond hind wings during flight.
• More thorax and leg information at Missouri Department of Conservation.

Habitat and Distribution

Worldwide Spread

The Snowberry Clearwing and Hummingbird Clearwing are fascinating species of moths that share many similarities, but differ in their habitat and distribution. Both can be found in North America, where they are widely spread. The Snowberry Clearwing is found across the United States, extending northward to British Columbia and eastward to Pennsylvania and the New England states¹. In contrast, the Hummingbird Clearwing is predominantly found in the south of the United States[^5^].

Habitat Preferences

Each species has unique preferences when it comes to their habitats. The Snowberry Clearwing is versatile and inhabits slopes and valley bottoms in a variety of areas, such as the Sierra Nevada and the mountains of southern California. They can also be found in coastal regions and some parts of Canada[^4^]. On the other hand, the Hummingbird Clearwing prefers areas with flowers they can feed on during the day, including gardens and meadows².

To summarize, while both the Snowberry Clearwing and Hummingbird Clearwing can be found in North America, they have slightly different habitat preferences. The Snowberry Clearwing is more versatile in its choice of habitat, while the Hummingbird Clearwing prefers areas rich in flowers for feeding.

Feeding and Nutrition

Nectar and Flowers

Snowberry clearwings and hummingbird clearwings are both drawn to the nectar of flowers. They have a preference for certain types of flowers, like vines, bluebells, monarda, phlox, and verbena. These insects play an important role in pollination as they move from one flower to another in search of nectar.

As a pollinator, the snowberry clearwing visits various types of flowers to gather nectar for its nutrition. The hummingbird clearwing does the same, with a similar taste in flora. Here is a comparison table of their preferred flowers:

Both snowberry and hummingbird clearwings contribute to plant pollination when they feed on the nectar of these flowers. This, in turn, helps in the propagation and maintenance of the plant population. As a gardener, providing a friendly habitat for these pollinators would be mutually beneficial to these insects and your garden’s overall health.

Remember to choose flowers that attract snowberry clearwings and hummingbird clearwings and plant them in your garden. This will not only ensure good pollination but also create a pleasant environment where these fascinating creatures can thrive.

Breeding and Life Cycle

Eggs and Caterpillars

During the breeding season, both snowberry clearwing and hummingbird clearwing females lay their eggs on the host plants. They choose plants that their caterpillars will later feed on, such as honeysuckle, snowberry, and hawthorn. When the eggs hatch, the caterpillars begin to feed on the leaves of these plants.

The caterpillars of both species have distinct appearances. Snowberry clearwing caterpillars are usually green with black spots and a yellow stripe along their sides. Hummingbird clearwing caterpillars, on the other hand, are mostly green with a dark green stripe running down their backs.

Cocoon and Adult Stage

As the caterpillars grow, they eventually reach their final instar and begin to pupate. They spin a cocoon within the leaf litter and debris on the ground. It takes about two weeks for the pupa inside the cocoon to develop into an adult moth.

Once the adult moths emerge, they begin to search for food and mates. Both snowberry clearwing and hummingbird clearwing moths are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They hover around flowers, sipping nectar with their long proboscis, much like hummingbirds.

The main differences between the two moths can be observed in their appearance. Snowberry clearwing moths have a yellow and black banded abdomen, while hummingbird clearwing moths have a greenish-yellow or tan body. Both species have a wingspan ranging from 1½ to 2¼ inches.

In summary, the breeding and life cycle of snowberry clearwing and hummingbird clearwing moths involve similar steps of egg laying, caterpillar feeding, pupation, and adult emergence. The main differences between the two species are their caterpillar appearances and adult moth colorations.

Interactions with Other Species

Predators and Defences

Birds and other predators often hunt both the snowberry clearwing and the hummingbird clearwing moths. These moths, however, have developed fascinating defense mechanisms to protect themselves. One such mechanism is their ability to mimic other species, such as bumblebees, to deter predators. While feeding, you might notice their rapid wing beats, which help them evade potential threats.

• Snowberry clearwing: Fuzzy golden yellow body with black and yellow bands on the abdomen ³.
• Hummingbird clearwing: Furry greenish-yellow or tan body with reddish-brown bands across the abdomen ².

Mimicry and Camouflage

Both the snowberry clearwing and the hummingbird clearwing moths use mimicry and camouflage as ways to elude predators. By mimicking the appearance of bumblebees, they discourage would-be predators from attacking them.

• Mimicry: Both species have evolved body colors and patterns that resemble bumblebees ^{3 2}.
• Camouflage: When resting, these moths often blend in with their surroundings, making it difficult for predators to detect them ¹.

Given their striking resemblances to other creatures, it’s no surprise that snowberry clearwings and hummingbird clearwings often go unnoticed or are mistaken for insects, like bumblebees. Be sure to observe their unique behaviors and adaptations in the wild whenever you encounter them.

Attracting Clearwings to Your Garden

Garden Plants

To attract the beautiful snowberry clearwing and hummingbird clearwing moths to your garden, consider planting some of their favorite nectar-rich plants. These can include:

• Honeysuckle: This vine or shrub produces fragrant, tubular flowers that are sure to draw in clearwing moths.
• Dogbane: A perennial plant with small, fragrant flowers adored by clearwings.
• Hawthorn: These shrubs or trees offer clusters of small, white flowers that provide nectar for clearwing moths.

Other plants that you can add to your garden for these pollinators are cherries, plums, mertensia, viburnums, and hawthorns³. Planting a diverse variety of these plants will help create a welcoming environment for both snowberry and hummingbird clearwings to visit.

Protecting Clearwings in Your Garden

It’s equally important to ensure that your garden provides a safe and comfortable habitat for these moths. Here are some tips to protect clearwings in your garden:

• Avoid using pesticides: Chemicals can be harmful to clearwing moths along with other pollinators. Opt for natural pest control methods instead.
• Provide shelter: Make small piles of branches or allow for leaf litter to accumulate. These can be used by the clearwings for attaching chrysalis or cocoons².
• Offer water sources: Incorporate shallow bowls with water or a bird bath in your garden that can serve as a water source for clearwings and other pollinators.
• Allow areas for larval feeding: Snowberry and hummingbird clearwing caterpillars consume foliage of particular host plants¹. Including these plants in your garden provides a home not just for the adult moths, but for their larvae as well.

By following these tips and incorporating their preferred plants, you can create a vibrant garden that is a haven for both snowberry clearwing and hummingbird clearwing moths.

Conservation and Threats

Threats

The Snowberry Clearwing and Hummingbird Clearwing moths play important roles as pollinators in nature. However, these unique creatures face several threats, such as habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change. Shrinking habitats reduce the availability of food and nesting sites for these moths. Moreover, pesticide use harms not only pests but also beneficial insects like these pollinators.

Conservation Efforts

Efforts to protect the Snowberry Clearwing and Hummingbird Clearwing moths include conservation programs that focus on preserving their habitats and promoting sustainable practices. Here’s how you can help:

• Plant native flowering plants to provide food sources for these moths and other pollinators.
• Avoid using harmful pesticides in your garden.
• Create safe nesting sites by leaving natural debris such as leaf litter and fallen branches in your yard.

By taking these simple steps, you can contribute to the conservation of these essential pollinators and ensure a healthier ecosystem for all.

Conclusion

In this article, you’ve learned about the Snowberry Clearwing and the Hummingbird Clearwing. Both are fascinating moth species that mimic other creatures in their appearance and behavior, which may surprise you.

Snowberry Clearwing:

• Larvae feed on specific food plants, like honeysuckle and snowberry.
• Resembles a small hummingbird in flight.

Hummingbird Clearwing:

• Has a furry greenish-yellow or tan body with a wide reddish-brown band across the abdomen.
• Visits flowers during the day, feeding on nectar with a long proboscis.

The snowberry clearwing and hummingbird clearwing have similarities, but they also have distinct features that set them apart. Awareness of these interesting creatures can help you identify them and appreciate their role in nature.

So, next time you’re out in nature, keep an eye out for these intriguing moths. You might be surprised by their fascinating adaptations and behaviors.

References

The snowberry clearwing and the hummingbird clearwing are two different species of moths with some similarities and differences in their appearance and behavior.

The snowberry clearwing typically has a wingspan of 1½ to 2¼ inches. They are regarded as important pollinators and are commonly found in gardens, darting from flower to flower sipping nectar in full sunlight.

On the other hand, the hummingbird clearwing has a fuzzy, olive to golden-olive-colored body, with a dark abdomen. These moths are known to mimic bumblebees, as they also hover around flowers during the day to feed on nectar.

Here’s a comparison table highlighting the differences between the two:

Some features of both species include:

• Daytime feeding habits
• Fast, hovering flight
• Long proboscis for sipping nectar

In summary, while both snowberry clearwing and hummingbird clearwing moths share certain features, they can be differentiated by their colors, size, and mimicking behavior.

Reader Emails

Over the years, our website, whatsthatbug.com has received hundreds of letters and some interesting images asking us about these insects. Scroll down to have a look at some of them.

Letter 1 – Possibly Snowberry Clearwing Caterpillar

pink and green horned caterpillar
June 30, 2010
I took a picture of a large pink and green caterpillar with a single horn that I found in the Carbon County, PA area. It was in a grove of crabapple trees. It was discovered in mid June. Any help on identification would be greatly appreciated.
Jessica
Carbon County, PA

Hi Jessica,
Your caterpillar is a Hornworm in the family Sphingidae.  We are nearly certain your caterpillar is that of a Snowberry Clearwing, Hemaris diffinis, and we are basing that on a photo posted to BugGuide.

Letter 2 – Pecan Bark Borer or Lesser Pecan Tree Borer

Clear Winged Moth – Synanthedon geliformis
May 5, 2010
I took this picture of a elm borer moth in mid-April and ID’d the moth easily enough; thankfully I noticed in the picture that the antennae are a little fuzzy and started with moths – I’d though it might be a wasp when I spotted it, with those narrow looking black wings. It took me a lot longer to ID the bush it was visiting, some sort of viburnum, I’m pretty sure now. It’s part of a neighbor’s hedge, but they didn’t know what it was. Since this is a still picture, it doesn’t show that the moth was flexing just the tip of it’s abdomen up occasionally.
I love your website. It has really helped learn more about ID’ing the smaller fauna of our world.
Karen H.
Belleview, FL

Hi Karen,
First, we want you to know that we are setting your photo to post on Mother’s Day because we are leaving our office behind for a few days to visit our mother in Ohio and we will not be checking our email nor posting any letters while we are away.  Your letter has us quite puzzled because you mention using our humble site to make identifications, yet we do not have an example of a previous posting of Synanthedon geliformis, and furthermore, the single image posted to BugGuide does not list a common name.  We next tried a google search of the scientific name, and we found a mounted specimen posted to the Moth Photographers Group website, but again with no common name.  There appears to be a real dearth of information on this species online, but eventually we discovered a mention on the Index to the Common Names for Florida Lepidoptera website, where it is called a Pecan Bark Borer.  More searching led us to the Full Text of Pecan Insects online and this information:
“THE LESSER PECAN TREE BORER.
(Synanthedon (Sesia) geliformis Walker.)
Two different species of clear winged moths, both related to
each other and to the peach tree borers, occur on pecan. One
species has been recorded by Ilerrick* as attacking the pecan in
Mississippi and this species appears to be the one attacking it in
North Carolina. The moth is deep steel blue in color with yellow
bands on abdomen and legs. Gossardt found a species attacking
pecan in Florida and, not finding the adult, judged it to be the
same insect. We have never taken this insect in Georgia, our form
producing a moth which is dark brown in color, with a bright red
hind body, or abdomen. It also seems probable that this is the
species occurring in Florida. Since this form is related more
closely to the Lesser Peach-tree Borer, and since moreover, the
name Pecan Tree-borer has already been applied to the other spe-
cies, it has seemed best to call our insect the Lesser Pecan-tree
Borer.“
Furthermore, the website provides this information:
“The life history of this species has not yet been thoroughly
worked out. Moths appear over a period of at least three months
in the spring, from the first of March to the last of May. They lay
their eggs on the bark, and the young larvae, upon hatching, bur-
row inward and commence feeding in the inner layer of bark.
(Plate X, fig. 1.) The insects attack trees of all sizes and may be
found anywhere from a foot above ground to 15 or 20 ft. above,
in the branches. They spend the winter in the larval, or borer
stage, pupating during the late winter or early spring. On
emerging the moth leaves its empty pupal case protruding some-
what, usually from beneath a scale of the bark. ¥e have not been
able to determine whether there are two generations a year or not.
Since the lesser pecan-tree borers eat out only a small area,
especially when compared to the size of the trees, they usually
do not cause any material injury. Owing to the fact, however,
that they appear to congregate mainly in a few trees they may some-
times become so numerous as not only to seriously injure a tree but
to girdle it, thus killing it outright.“

We would love to know how you had your photograph identified and where the common name you include, Elm Borer Moth, is mentioned.  Please write back and clear up this mystery.

Hi,
To answer some of your questions, I have used your site to ID bugs, though not this particular one.  You’ve helped me to learn enough that I can make use of the BugGuide site as well.  It was very overwhelming when I first started trying to use it; there was just soooo much information and I didn’t know where to start.  I found your site much easier and more fun to search, and I started learning how to distinguish at least the common sorts of bugs.  If you’re just going to look at a random ordered sequence of pictures hoping to find a match, the little blurbs about them help keep the attention and interest up.  🙂
BugGuide is where I ID’d my moth, and I was quite happy that I stumbled onto it fairly quickly.  But I also wanted to know if it had a common name and wanted to know if I could find more info about it’s habits and life cycle.  With the scientific name, I figured I could turn up more info on the web, though as you mentioned, there is quite a lack of it out there (thanks for the extra info!).  I did find two common names for it out there :
Elm Borer: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/fasulo/woodypest/390.htm
Pecan Bark Borer: http://www.pherobase.com/database/commonname/common-names-index-eng.php & and the site you mentioned
I think there were just these three sites that I could find a common name on.  I put them both in my notes and just picked one for the post, and I guess I think of elms more than pecans since I have an elm bonsai tree.  If you find out which is right or wrong, please let me know.  I’ve been thinking of finally registering with BugGuide so I can post this moth picture (the one they have is a little blurry) and would like to include the correct common name.  I got confirmation today that the plant is viburnum (landscaping fellow was here to fix a break in our watering system, and he made a comment about how the viburnum hedge was blocking some of the spray heads).
I hope this clears up some of your questions.  If you have any more, I’m happy to answer.
Thanks for posting it on Mother’s day; my mom likes this picture.
Enjoy
Karen

Wow Karen,
Thanks for all the swell information.  Don’t tell all of our other contributors, but you are our new favorite reader.  Your letter exactly corresponds to our mission when we began this site nearly a decade ago:  To foster a dialog about insects for people who respect and admire them.  Thanks again.

Letter 3 – Hummingbird Clearwing: Chilled but Survived

Sphinx moth
August 11, 2009
Dear bugman; I have been trying to get a photo of this moth for 4 days . I think it may be a Hummingbird moth (Hemaris thysbe). Today I decided to catch and cool it in the freezer for 3 minutes. When I took him out he wasn’t moving. I thought I killed him. I was dreading the thought of (UNNECESSARY CARNAGE) or worse yet, involuntary bugslauter. I put him (or her) in the sun hoping he might come around. I took over 30 photos, when he started to flutter, and dropped to the ground. I picked him up and put him back on the flower. he didn’t move for another 10 minutes. Then he just flew strait up, about ten feet and turned, and flew off.
I was browsing through the local library on Saturday, when I came across a book titled KAUFMAN Field Guide to Insects of North America. I’ve owned the Kaufman Birds of North America for many years now, and thought, if this book is half as good as the bird book it will be great. When I picked it up I saw the author was Eric Eaton. I started reading, and almost forgot to stop for lunch. The only problem now is they are going to want it back. Keep up the good work, and write that book!
Terry Sincheff
Mound, MN

Dear Terry,
We do not as yet have a tagged category for Involuntary BugSlaughter, but that would not be quite as serious a matter as our current Unnecessary Carnage tag.  We do not consider accidental deaths to be cause for tagging a letter as Unnecessary Carnage.  A recent example was the chilling to death of a Gold and Brown Rove Beetle.  Since your Hummingbird Clearwing, Hemaris thysbe, survived, this is all a moot point.  Your intention in chilling this specimen was to take photos and then to release the moth, as opposed to recent postings where the intention was to dispatch of a perceived threat.  We will state again that it has never been our intention to vilify readers who out of fear kill a benign creature that was perceived as a threat, but to educate our readership in the event of future encounters with frightening but harmless creatures.
With regards to the KAUFMAN Field Guide to Insects of North America, it sounds like after taking the library copy for a test drive, you may need to buy your own copy.  We are quite certain Eric Eaton would appreciate that.  Eric is highly entertaining in print and we are quite thankful that he contributes so much to What’s That Bug? when we need correction or clarification in our identifications.
You may read more about the Hummingbird Clearwing on Bill Oehlke’s wonderful website.

Letter 4 – Hummingbird Clearwing Moth: Plant Pest????? You Decide

Macro Photo – Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, Hemaris thysbe, Sphinx Moth
Dear Bugman,
I thought you might enjoy this photo of a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe: Sphinx Moth) that I took on August 22nd at 6:30PM. According to a Senior Research Scientist at my firm in Research Development and Engineering within the Insect Control department, "there are many Sphinx moths, also called Hawk Moths, in the moth family Sphingidae. The clear-winged species lack scales on large portions of their wings making them see-through at those spots. There are also clear-winged species in a different family (Sesiidae). The larvae of the sphinx moths are called "hornworms", large plant pests with a conspicuous horn or spikelike growth on their tail end." I took the image with a Canon Digital Rebel EOS with at a 55mm zoom with a diopter (macro) lens attached to the end of it at 1/60th of a second with flash at an aperture of f5.6 @ISO-100. The wings flap so fast that you can’t see them without a fast shutter speed… It hovers like a baby hummingbird, but has a proboscis like that of a butterfly. It was about 2 inches wide by 2 inches long… Feel free to add this to you site with credit to my name! Thanks for an amazing insect site!
JASON T. KOLESARI
Muskego, WI

Hi Jason,
Thank you for an amazingly beautiful photograph. We do have a major issue with the information your “expert” provided. Please march into her or his office and demand a definition of a “plant pest”. Merely being a vegetarian should not constitute pestilence. Sure, Sphingid Larvae eat plant leaves, but they are rarely ever numerous enough to denude a plant. Several species of Hyles have been imported to the American Northwest to help control introduced invasive weeds. That is not a pest. Sure, the occasional Manduca takes a bite from a green tomato while feeding on the leaves, but we let the Hormworms live on our tomato plants and still have more tomatoes than we can eat and give away. Adult Sphingid Moths are important pollinators. If exterminators killed the Hormworms, we would not have adult moths. Your “expert” has made our blood boil. Have a nice day and once again, thank you for a gorgeous photo of a “plant pest”.

Bugman,
Assuredly, the insect expert over here does not share the same setiments as I. Keep in mind that he is in the insect control business. I, on the other hand, can’t wait for this beautiful specimen to grace my gardens with it’s presence again! I was awestruck and couldn’t believe what I was looking at. It let me get so close to it so I could even get live photos with a macro lens. It hovered about like a hummingbird. Graceful but quiet. I will try to get some more snapshots when it arrives again. Thanks again for a great website! Best regards,
JASON T. KOLESARI
Muskego, WI

Letter 5 – Hummingbird Clearwing Moths Mating and Eating

Bug Love
One for bug love.
don nelson
new site, alabama

Hi Don,
Makes one wonder how they can stay aloft as well as concentrate on so many things at once: Flying, eating and procreating.

Letter 6 – Hummingbird Moth or Snowberry Clearwing????

Moth
Moth identification
I have attached pics of a flying insect of some sort? I think it is a hummingbird moth. Picture taken in Northern Ontario.
Fred

Hi Fred,
We cannot be certain if these are Hummingbird Clearwing Moths, Hemaris thysbe, or the closely related and very similar looking Snowberry Clearwing Moths, Hemaris diffinis. Their ranges overlap in many places.

Letter 7 – Large Red-Belted Clearwing from the UK

Subject:  Wtb
Geographic location of the bug:  South UK
Date: 06/07/2020
Time: 11:10 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Can’t find this on the web. Can you identify it? It is on a south facing Passion flower.
Thanks,
GT
How you want your letter signed:  GT

Dear GT,
Though this looks like a Wasp, it is actually a Clearwing Moth in the family Sesiidae, and many members of the family benefit from mimicking stinging insects like Wasps.  We quickly identified your Large Red-Belted Clearwing, Synanthedon culiciformis, on UK Moths where it states:  “The moth flies earlier in the year than many other clearwings, being on the wing in May and June.  The species inhabits heathland and woodland, where the host tree, birch (Betula abounds, and is known from much of mainland Britain.”  The site also states:  “Although generally larger than the similar Red-belted Clearwing, the sizes overlap and it is more easily distinguished by the orange-red suffusion at the base of the forewings” and that color is not evident in your images, so we would not rule out that your moth is a Red Belted Clearwing, Synanthedon myopaeformis.  According to UK Moths:  “The moths fly during the day but are not often seen, except by the use of pheromone lures. They occur from June to early August.”  Though the “orange-red suffusion” is not evident, we still believe your individual appears more like the former species.

Letter 8 – Large Red Belted Clearwing from UK

Flying Bug in Whitstable UK
Location: Whitstable UK
July 2, 2011 6:33 am
Dear Bugman
My sister pictured this in their backyard in Whistable, Kent, UK and we would like to know what it is please.
Thanks
Signature: Michelle Morris

Hi Michelle,
This is one of the Clearwing Moths in the family Sesiidae, a group which contains species that mimic wasps for protection.  We believe we have correctly identified this as a Large Red Belted Clearwing, Synanthedon culiciformis, thanks to the UK Moths website.  The larvae of many of the Clearwing Moths are borers in woody plants, and the UK Moths site indicates:  “The species inhabits heathland and woodland, where the host tree, birch (Betula abounds, and is known from much of mainland Britain.”  The UK Moths site also states:  “Although generally larger than the similar Red-belted Clearwing, the sizes overlap and it is more easily distinguished by the orange-red suffusion at the base of the forewings.  The moth flies earlier in the year than many other clearwings, being on the wing in May and June.”  The Red Belted Clearwing is also represented on the UK Moths website.

Letter 9 – Lilac Borer from Canada

Subject:  Some Type of wasp or hornet
Geographic location of the bug:  Ontario, Canada
Date: 06/26/2018
Time: 11:34 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  I came across this type of hornet that I had not seen before and looked up in a big identification website but nothing there was similar to this particular one.
How you want your letter signed:  Hornet identification for Chuck

Dear Chuck,
Though it looks very convincingly like a hornet or wasp, this Lilac Borer, Podosesia syringae, is actually a moth in the family Sesiidae, whose members are very convincing wasp mimics, including this Sycamore Borer.  Here is an image from BugGuide that supports our identification.  According to BugGuide:  “Larvae bore in the limbs and trunk of various Oleaceae, including ash (Fraxinus), lilac (Syringae), olive (Olea), privet (Ligustrum) and fringetree (Chionanthus). It can be a serious pest in commercial plant operations.”  This is a new species for our site.

Letter 10 – Mating Bumblebee Moths

Clearwing Moth?
Can you help me identify this beautiful mating pair? I photographed them at my Dad’s lake place in northern MN last weekend. I am assuming some type of Clearwing Moth. But can’t identify the exact type. Can you?
David

Hi David,
We have problems identifying the individual species in the genus Hemaris as there is so much variation. We believe these to be Hemaris diffinis, the Snowberry Clearwings, AKA Bumblebee Moths. Thanks for sending in an excellent quality image.

Letter 11 – Mating Snowberry Clearwing Moths

Snowberry Clearwings Mating
Your web site has been very helpful to me in identifying insects. In fact, I was able to identify these mating Snowberry Clearwings from your site. You mentioned it is difficult to get sharp photos of Clearwings, so I thought I’d send you this one which does have one set of wings and their joined bodies quite clear. If you think it is worth while, you may post it on your site. The photo was made in southeastern Iowa on a butterfly bush on August 17, 2006.
Lora P Conrad

Hi Lora,
We are trying to post some older letters this morning, and your photo is quite lovely. We had to crop and rotate it to take advantage of the allowable space. Thank you.

Letter 12 – Mating Snowberry Clearwing Moths

what are these?
captured at my cottage in dorset ontario, canada
Paul

Hi Paul,
We don’t always take identifications of the genus Hemaris to the species level, but based on the black legs, we believe these to be mating Snowberry Clearwing Moths, Hemaris diffinis.

Letter 13 – Probably Hummingbird Clearwing

Subject:  What’s that bug?
Geographic location of the bug:  Pocono Mountains, PA
Date: 08/06/2018
Time: 08:16 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Photo taken on a hot, humid summer day. Bug likes flowers, particularly petunias, and moves somewhat like a hummingbird.
How you want your letter signed:  A flower lover

Dear flower lover,
This is one of the diurnal Sphinx Moths in the genus Hemaris, and we believe it is most likely the Hummingbird Clearwing, Hemaris thysbe, which you can read about on Sphingidae of the Americas.