Hemaris diffinis — Snowberry Clearwing

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

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).

GAIN LP Sightings

Date	County	Observer	Notes	Image1	Image2
2020-08-04	Dubois	Lynn, Jaime	Adult
2020-08-04	Dubois	Lynn, Jaime	Adult
2020-08-04	Dubois	Lynn, Jaime	Adult
2020-08-02	Marshall	Hemmig, Donna	Adult
2020-08-02	Dubois	Lynn, Jaime	Adult
2020-07-29	Brown	Pollock, Michele	Adult
2020-07-22	Lake	Stauner, Heather	Adult
2020-07-21	Porter	Beach, Sarah	Adult
2020-07-14	Lake	Moore, Chris	Adult nectaring
2020-07-14	Lake	Moore, Chris	Adult nectaring

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2020-08-04 County: Dubois Observer: Lynn, Jaime Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-04 County: Dubois Observer: Lynn, Jaime Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-04 County: Dubois Observer: Lynn, Jaime Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-02 County: Marshall Observer: Hemmig, Donna Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-08-02 County: Dubois Observer: Lynn, Jaime Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-29 County: Brown Observer: Pollock, Michele Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-22 County: Lake Observer: Stauner, Heather Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-21 County: Porter Observer: Beach, Sarah Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-14 County: Lake Observer: Moore, Chris Notes: Adult nectaring
Date: 2020-07-14 County: Lake Observer: Moore, Chris Notes: Adult nectaring

Hemaris diffinis Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

• Global status: G5 (secure)

Reasons: “This was historically fairly common using snowberry and native honeysuckles. It is much more common now eastward where it has benefited greatly from exotic introduced honeysuckles, such as Lonicera japonica, which are now the main foodplants in much of the Northeast. Widespread throughout the USA and temperate Canada east of the Continental Divide.”

• National status: N4/N5 (Apparently secure/secure)
• Indiana status: NR (not ranked)

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
Caprifoliaceae	Triosteum spp.	horse gentians
Order: Dipsicales
Adoxaceae	Viburnum spp.	viburnums
Caprifoliaceae	Diervilla spp.	honeysuckles
	Lonicera spp.	honeysuckles
	Symphoricarpos spp.	snowberries
Order: Ericales
Ericaceae	Vaccinium spp.	blueberries
Order: Gentianales
Apocynaceae	Amsonia tabernaemontana	eastern bluestar
	Apocynum spp.	dogbanes, aka indian Hemps