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Hummingbird Clearwing – Hemaris Thysbe

June 1, 2011 by Barb 9 Comments

Right around this time of year my lilac bush is ‘abuzz’ with all sorts of creatures. For days I’ve been trying to capture a photo of the beautiful swallowtail butterfly that is teasing me (oh, I will get you . . .) but in the meantime I caught this Hummingbird Clearwing frantically feeding. It’s quite the little creature. I would never confuse it with a hummingbird but I have to say it does remind me of one.

“This moth is often mistaken for a large bumblebee or even a small hummingbird when it hovers in front of a flower to sip the nectar. The Hummingbird Clearwing is a member of the family Sphingidae, the sphinx moths. It can be identified partly by the fact that it is active during the day where most other members of the family are nocturnal or active at night. It is also one of the smaller members of the family with a wing span of 4 to 5.5 cm. The wings are clear in the centre and have a broad brown border. Most people who see this moth for the first time have a problem trying to figure out just what it is. As stated earlier, it can be confused for a small hummingbird or a large bumblebee. Once people find out it is a moth they generally become quite fascinated by it and remember it! The larvae are seldom serious pests.” See the Royal Alberta Museum.

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Comments

  1. Jane says

    June 1, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    Hi Barb – the first shot is just lovely and that second photo of him flying mid-air is wonderful. What an interesting little creature.

    As for those swallowtails – I got a couple of shots of one last week but it was in constant motion so the wings are just a blur of activity. I shall try again!

    Reply
  2. deb duty says

    June 1, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    Really great captures! Just beautiful!

    Reply
  3. Stampmouse says

    June 1, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    oh wow great capture I don’t think I have ever seen this kind of hummingbird before. at least not at my lilac bushes.

    Reply
  4. Marissa ♥ says

    June 1, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    Beautiful photos, Barb! I have been trying to get a photo of a Hummingbird Moth for years, with no luck! :) Great capture, for sure!

    Reply
  5. SnoopyGirl says

    June 1, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    Wow those photos are amazing. I have never even heard of this kind of bug before. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  6. lisa says

    June 1, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    Oh my goodness, I have never seen anything like this!
    Your photographs of it are wonderful!

    Reply
  7. Nancy says

    June 2, 2011 at 12:40 am

    We get these little guys flying around our columbine a little later this month. I have always called them hummingbird moths. I learned something today! Your photos are amazing, Barb. Just beautiful!

    Reply
  8. Gale Wall says

    June 2, 2011 at 3:34 am

    We have those….I call them hummingbird moths too. They are just as lovely as the hummingbird.

    Reply
  9. Snowcatcher says

    June 2, 2011 at 4:00 am

    We get the not-quite-so-fancy hummingbird moths, too. You’ve done an extraordinary job of capturing the moth and the lilacs, one of my favorite blossoms. Interesting info I did not know, too. Thanks!

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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