Species Hemaris diffinis - Snowberry Clearwing - Hodges#7855

7855

Hemaris diffinis (Boisduval, 1836)

Probably derived from post-classical Latin: there is a verb diffinio "to terminate", and the prefix dis- regularly changes to dif- when added to a word that starts with "f". No direct evidence found yet of its exact meaning

Wingspan 35-50 mm

Larva to 45 mm

Adult: forewing clear area lacks partial crossband of dark scales near base; legs black; underside mostly black.

   

Larva: body usually green with black spots encircling spiracles, "leading edge of thorax yellow, with prominent granules, extended over back of head. Horn long, yellow at base, black from middle to apex."(1) A brown form also occurs.

   

Much of North America except Alaska, Yukon, Nunavut, and Newfoundland. However, as of 2009, all Hemaris diffinis (Hodges # 7855) at BugGuide from west of the Continental Divide should be moved to this newly elevated species. In some places just east of the Divide (Colorado, Alberta) overlap of ranges is known and specific identity becomes problematical when based on photographs. (2)

Edges, fields with flowers. Adults feed actively on flower nectar during the day while hovering at blossoms.

Adults fly from March to September (two broods) in the south; shorter season in the north.

Adults feed on flower nectar. See Life Cycle for larval food.

Two generations per year. Larvae feed on dogbane (Apocynum), honeysuckle (Lonicera), bush honeysuckle (Diervilla), and snowberry (Symphoricarpos). In Piedmont, North Carolina, seem to prefer the native Coral Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens.

1. egg. 2. first instar. 3 and 4 later instars. 5. pupa.

Interesting behavior:

   

   

Moth Photographers Group (MPG)

Pacific Northwest Moths