Species Hemaris thetis - Hodges#7855.1

Classification · Hodges Number · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Identification · Internet References · Works Cited

Hemaris diffinis - Hemaris thetis - male - female

Rocky Mountain Clearwing Moth - Hemaris thetis

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Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Bombycoidea (Silkworm, Sphinx, and Royal Moths)

Family Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)

Subfamily Macroglossinae

Tribe Dilophonotini

Genus Hemaris

Species thetis (Hemaris thetis - Hodges#7855.1)

Hodges Number

7855.1

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Hemaris senta

Described in 1855 by Jean Baptiste Boisduval as Macroglossa thetis. Until recently considered a synonym or a subspecies of Hemaris diffinis

Explanation of Names

Probably named after Thetis (Θετις), a nereid and the mother of Achilles in Greek mythology

Identification

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. (1)

Internet References

Moth Photographers Group (MPG)

Pacific Northwest Moths

Barcode of Life (BOLD)

Annales de la Société entomologique de France, 3rd ser., v.3:Bulletin, p. XXXII Bosduval's original description of the species.

Works Cited

1.	Hemaris thetis (Boisduval, 1855) (Sphingidae) is a Distinct Species B. Christian Schmidt. 2009. Journal of the Lepidopterists Society 63(2), 2009, 100-109.

Contributed by John R. Maxwell on 26 July, 2009 - 7:58pm
Additional contributions by Bob Patterson, Robin McLeod, Chuck Entz, Aaron Schusteff, Edward Ruden, Steve Morris
Last updated 22 December, 2022 - 7:47pm

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