Clearwing Hummingbird Moth
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Clearwing Hummingbird and Other Moths
One may think there's a tiny little baby hummingbird flying among the flowers, but more than likely it's a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth.
This moth will feed during the day and it's shape, coloration and scaleless wings give it the appearance of a small hummingbird. There are two common varieties of this attractive and interesting member of the Sphinx moth family.
Here we explore Hummingbird Moths (and a few other Sphinx Moths) as well as some of the big, beautiful Moths, like the Luna Moth. You'll also find a plant list for a "Moon Garden", with descriptions and photos of night blooming and fragrant plants that are sure to please the senses and bring in some beautiful moths and maybe an insect eating bat or two.
Contents at a Glance
Moth Facts

Hummingbird Moth on Pickerel-weed by naturegirl7
Moths are Insects and belong to the Order Lepidoptera, which includes both Moths and Butterflies. There are about 100 families of moths with hundreds of genera (plural of genus) and over 150,000 species. Moths live in all parts of the world, except in the very cold mountaintops and polar regions. Most Moths live in the tropics.
Moths and Butterflies are very much alike, but there are several characteristics that Moths have that Butterflies don't:
- Moths usually have less colorful wings.
- Moths have furrier bodies.
- The antennas of moths are feathery or threadlike.
- Most Moths fly at night. One exception to this rule is the Clearwing Hummingbird Moth.
Sphinx Moth Adult and Larvae Photos
The sphinx family is a large family of moths. Here a a few photos of the larval and adult stages of some of the Sphinx and Hawk moths. Clearwing Hummingbird Moths are a member of the Sphinx family.
Description and Habits
The two types of North American Hummingbird Moths are very hard to tell apart. One type is the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, which (as you can tell by its name) resembles a small hummingbird. The other is the Snowberry Clearwing Moth which actually looks more like a large bumblebee, than a hummingbird. The ranges of both species overlap quite a bit, so you can have both in a given location. Both species have fast moving, scaleless wings and furry bodies with large abdomens with coloration similar to that of a hummingbird. The scales on the wings are rubbed off in flight soon after it emerges from the pupa.
Like other butterflies and moths, its mouth part is a straw-like siphoning, feeding tube called a proboscis. But, unlike most other moths, the Hummingbird Moths fly and feed during daylight hours in open woodlands, fields, gardens and backyards between March and September.
In the north, this moth has at least 2 broods of young and in Louisiana there are six broods every thirty days beginning in March. One pale green egg is deposited on the underside of a leaf and the small larvae stay hidden on the leaf vein. The larvae pupate in thin walled cocoons on the ground under leaf litter.
There are many different types of Sphinx Moths and each one uses specific plants to raise its young. For example, the Rustic Sphinx lays its eggs on only Fringe Trees and Jasmine. The photo below shows a very large Rustic Sphinx caterpillar dining on Fringe Tree leaves.
Sphinx moths get their name because, when the larvae is disturbed, it elevates the front part of its body and assumes a Sphinx-like position. The larvae of many sphinx moths are known as hornworms because of the horn or spike that is attached to the last segment of their body.
The Tomato Hormworm (Five-spotted Hawk Moth) and the Tobacco Hornworm (Carolina Sphinx Moth) are harmful to the crops they are named for. The name "Hawk moth" and Sphinx moth are both used, but hawk moths are actually another group in the family.
The Sphinx Moth pictured below is a Pink Spotted Hawk Moth. It's larvae is called sweet potato hornworm because it feeds on sweet potato vines. The flower that the adult moth is drinking nectar from is pink ginger.

Pink Spotted Hawk Moth on Peach Ginger by naturegirl7
The Hummingbird Clearwing Moth - Hemaris thysbe belongs to the order Lepidoptera / Suborder Macrolepidoptera / Superfamily Sphingoidea / Family Sphingidae, common names: hawk moths, hornworms or sphinx moths. Species Hemaris thysbe (Fabricius) also called common clear-wing, hummingbird moth or sphinx colibri
Its range goes as far north as Alaska, east to Maine and Newfoundland and south to Florida and Texas. Adults are reddish-brown and green and have a wingspan of about two inches. The caterpillars eat viburnum, hawthorn, honeysuckle, buckbrush, wild cherry and plum and a few other types of fruit trees.
Adults hover and sip nectar at many different flowers, including honeysuckle, beebalm, phlox, lilac and blueberry and milkweed. One of the sure ways to tell a Hummingbird Moth from a Hummingbird is that the moth will often rest on the flower while it drinks.
The Snowberry Clearwing Moth - Hemaris diffinis is in the order Lepidoptera and family Sphingidae. It is about 1.25 to 2 inches. It actually looks more like a large bumblebee than a hummingbird. The name probably comes from the humming sound its wings make that is similar to that of a hummingbird. Another difference from the Hummingbird Clearwing is that the Snowberry's abdomen has yellow and black segments like a bumblebee. In its larval stage it eats plants such as honeysuckle, viburnum, hawthorn, snowberry, cherry, and plum.
More Moths
The Luna
Luna Moth
Another Beauty
The Polyphemus
Still More Moths
The Io
Polyphemus Moth
More Mothy Stuff
Other Beautiful Moth Photos
There are many gorgeous nocturnal moths that inhabit the Southeastern United States. One of our favorites is the lovely Luna Moth and another is the Io Moth.
Mothy Books for Young Naturalists
Butterfly and Moth Guides for Children
Make a Moon Garden for the Moths
Hummingbird Moths to Enjoy
Visit our Naturally Native Creations Zazzle Gallery to see more designs.
Night Time Jewels
Many Mothy Books for Grownups
Night Visions: The Secret Designs of Moths by Joseph Scheer
An astonishing collection of images so vibrant they more...0 points
A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (Special Publication / Virginia Museum of Natural History) by Charles V. Covell
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600 Butterflies and Moths in Full Color (Dover Pictorial Archive Series) by W. F. Kirby
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Buggy Fun for the Kids
MAKIN'S-Clay Cutter Set. Makin's metal clay cutter sets are full of fun; creative and easy to use ways to create the perfectly cut shapes. Each set comes in a convenient; reusable 2-1/4in round tin for easy; quick and safe storage. This package contains eleven big plus: moth; butterfly; ladybug and more. WARNING: Choking Hazard- small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Imported.
Mothy Stuff on Ebay
Hummingbird Moth Poll
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brbrooks
Sep 2, 2011 @ 1:17 pm | delete
- Nice lens, I liked reading it.
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daria369
Aug 27, 2011 @ 6:53 am | delete
- I see quite a few kinds around my house but don't know their names. For me it's enough to stand and watch them - and smile... :) Beautiful lens! :)
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MisterJeremy
Aug 16, 2011 @ 6:33 am | delete
- I've seen snowberry clearwing moths and wondered what in the world they were. Now I know. Thank you!
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VickiSims Jul 6, 2011 @ 7:44 am | delete
- There are so many beautiful moths, but the hummingbird moths are my favorite. Beautiful photos!
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vallain
May 27, 2011 @ 8:35 pm | delete
- Good photos and info on this moth. I wonder if you wouldn't want the other moths on a separate page, perhaps.
Blessed by a Squid Angel and will be featured on Best Insect Pages on Squidoo lens.
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About Naturegirl7, Insect Lover
Clearwing Hummingbird Moth is on Isle of Squid

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Moth Links to Vote On
Hawk moth@Everything2.com
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silkmoths.bizland.com - Hummingbird Moth
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Hummingbird Clearwing Moth - Hemaris Thysbe
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Nature Notebook: Invertebrates: Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
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Hummingbird Imposters
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Moth Caterpillar Photos
photos of various moth caterpillars, mostly in Nor more...1 point
Jeff's Moth Photos
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bugguide.net - Snowberry Clearwing Moth
An online resource devoted to North American insec more...1 point
bugguide.net Hummingbird Moth
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My husband and I have always loved nature and the outdoors. We currently maintain a 9 acre private wildlife preserve.
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