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Adult nectaring from Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) — Scott County (Brian Lowry)
Side view on an adult taking nectar from Monarda — Pike County (Jeremy Ross)
A view of an adult's dark legs — Porter County (Chris Joll)
A view of the lateral stripe on the face and thorax of an adult — Hamilton County (Kevin Wyckoff)
A view of the wing venation and open discal cell of an adult — Vigo County (Nancy Padan)
An adult resting on the hand of man for size — LaGrange County (Sam Plew)
A mating pair — Knox County (Sherry Burnett)
Caterpillar full view feeding on native honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) — Pike County (Jeremey Ross)
Caterpillar full view — LaGrange County (Doug Selzer)
Caterpillar head and true legs — Vanderburgh County (Kevin Wiener)
Pupa — Hamilton County (Amanda Smith)
An Indiana Native

Hemaris diffinis — Snowberry Clearwing

diffinis Species Hemaris Genus Hemarini Tribe Macroglossinae Subfamily Family Sphingidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia
diffinis Species Hemaris Genus Hemarini Tribe Macroglossinae Subfamily Family Sphingidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia

Hodges# 7855

Etymology

Hemaris: Hemara, a Greek word meaning “day,” is one possible explanation for this genus name since these moths are primary diurnal fliers. Another interpretation ties this Genus to the story of Pyramus and Thisbe; two ill-fated lovers who tragically kill themselves when they believe the other is dead, thus spilling their hema, the Greek word for “blood.” The blood-red scales present on the wings of Hemaris species is thought to be the connecting reason for the name. The epic tragedy was redone by many including William ‎Shakespeare both in Romeo and Juliet and in A Midsummer Night's Dream, which included another ill-fated female named, Hermia.

Diffinis: Diffinio is a Latin word meaning “terminal.”

Pronunciation

HEM-ar-iss dif-FIN-iss

Other Common Names

Bumblebee Moth, Flying Lobster, Hummingbird Moth

Adult nectaring from Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) — Scott County (Brian Lowry)
Side view on an adult taking nectar from Monarda — Pike County (Jeremy Ross)
A view of an adult's dark legs — Porter County (Chris Joll)
A view of the lateral stripe on the face and thorax of an adult — Hamilton County (Kevin Wyckoff)
A view of the wing venation and open discal cell of an adult — Vigo County (Nancy Padan)
An adult resting on the hand of man for size — LaGrange County (Sam Plew)
A mating pair — Knox County (Sherry Burnett)
Caterpillar full view feeding on native honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) — Pike County (Jeremey Ross)
Caterpillar full view — LaGrange County (Doug Selzer)
Caterpillar head and true legs — Vanderburgh County (Kevin Wiener)
Pupa — Hamilton County (Amanda Smith)

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Snowberry Clearwing in Indiana. All sightings were confirmed through photographic documentation by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

species present icon GAIN LP
documented
in county.

GAIN LP Sightings

Date County Observer Notes Image1 Image2
2024-08-18 Washington Hendrix, Suzanna
2024-08-18 Washington Hendrix, Suzanna
2024-08-18 Washington Hendrix, Suzanna
2024-08-18 Washington Hendrix, Suzanna
2024-08-18 Washington Hendrix, Suzanna
2024-08-18 Washington Hendrix, Suzanna
2024-08-18 Washington Hendrix, Suzanna
2024-08-14 Martin Bowman, Jennifer
2024-08-14 Johnson Kohal-Adams, Kim
2024-08-09 Lake Fremouw, Heidi
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Observation Details Images
Date: 2024-08-18
County: Washington
Observer: Hendrix, Suzanna
Notes:
Date: 2024-08-18
County: Washington
Observer: Hendrix, Suzanna
Notes:
Date: 2024-08-18
County: Washington
Observer: Hendrix, Suzanna
Notes:
Date: 2024-08-18
County: Washington
Observer: Hendrix, Suzanna
Notes:
Date: 2024-08-18
County: Washington
Observer: Hendrix, Suzanna
Notes:
Date: 2024-08-18
County: Washington
Observer: Hendrix, Suzanna
Notes:
Date: 2024-08-18
County: Washington
Observer: Hendrix, Suzanna
Notes:
Date: 2024-08-14
County: Martin
Observer: Bowman, Jennifer
Notes:
Date: 2024-08-14
County: Johnson
Observer: Kohal-Adams, Kim
Notes:
Date: 2024-08-09
County: Lake
Observer: Fremouw, Heidi
Notes:
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Hemaris diffinis Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

Floral Associates

The Snowberry Clearing takes its name from Snowberry (Symphoricarposem spp.), which is one of its preferred larval host plants. Additional known host species, which are found in Indiana, are listed in the following table. Adult moths feed upon nectar with Milkweeds (Aclepias spp.), and Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) being particularly favored.


Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family Taxonomic Name Common Name
Order: Dipsacales
CaprifoliaceaeTriosteum spp. horse gentians
Order: Dipsicales
AdoxaceaeViburnum spp.viburnums
CaprifoliaceaeDiervilla spp.honeysuckles
Lonicera spp.honeysuckles
Symphoricarpos spp.snowberries
Order: Ericales
EricaceaeVaccinium spp.blueberries
Order: Gentianales
ApocynaceaeAmsonia tabernaemontanaeastern bluestar
Apocynum spp.dogbanes, aka indian Hemps