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Adult nectaring on Thistle (Cirsium spp.) — Marion County (Pamela Wang)
Side view of an adult nectaring on Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) — Hamilton County (Sallie Peeler)
Side view of an adult's pale legs while nectaring from Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa) — Marion County (Nancy Padan)
A view of the lateral stripe on the face of an adult nectaring from Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa) — Marion County (Sandra Tipton)
A view of the wing venation and the nearly closed discal cell of an adult nectaring from Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa) — Wayne County (Neil Jordan)
A view of the thick terminal wing banding of an adult that is nectaring on Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor) — Lake County (Steve Sass)
Two adults nectaring on Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa) — Marion County (Sandra Tipton)
Egg on Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) — Marion County (Sonya Schkabla)
Caterpillar on Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) — Hamilton County (Amanda Smith)
Caterpillar on Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) — Hamilton County (Amanda Smith)
An Indiana Native

Hemaris thysbe — Hummingbird Clearwing

(Fabricius, 1775)

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

Hodges# 7853

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.

Thysbe: The female heroine of 8th Century Roman poet, Ovid, in his narrative Metamorphoses.

Pronunciation

HEM-ar-iss THYS-bee

Adult nectaring on Thistle (Cirsium spp.) — Marion County (Pamela Wang)
Side view of an adult nectaring on Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) — Hamilton County (Sallie Peeler)
Side view of an adult's pale legs while nectaring from Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa) — Marion County (Nancy Padan)
A view of the lateral stripe on the face of an adult nectaring from Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa) — Marion County (Sandra Tipton)
A view of the wing venation and the nearly closed discal cell of an adult nectaring from Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa) — Wayne County (Neil Jordan)
A view of the thick terminal wing banding of an adult that is nectaring on Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor) — Lake County (Steve Sass)
Two adults nectaring on Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa) — Marion County (Sandra Tipton)
Egg on Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) — Marion County (Sonya Schkabla)
Caterpillar on Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) — Hamilton County (Amanda Smith)
Caterpillar on Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) — Hamilton County (Amanda Smith)

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Hummingbird 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
2024-08-12 Porter Joll, Chris
2024-08-12 Porter Joll, Chris
2024-07-11 LaPorte Raubynn, Pea
2024-07-02 Clinton Bowman, Jennifer
2024-07-01 Monroe Setze, Tracey
2024-06-28 Marion Casey, Jill
2024-06-26 Morgan Harrington, Diana
2024-06-25 St. Joseph Marshall, Nancy
2023-09-20 Hamilton Kant, Nancy
2023-09-05 Porter Beach, Sarah
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Observation Details Images
Date: 2024-08-12
County: Porter
Observer: Joll, Chris
Notes:
Date: 2024-08-12
County: Porter
Observer: Joll, Chris
Notes:
Date: 2024-07-11
County: LaPorte
Observer: Raubynn, Pea
Notes:
Date: 2024-07-02
County: Clinton
Observer: Bowman, Jennifer
Notes:
Date: 2024-07-01
County: Monroe
Observer: Setze, Tracey
Notes:
Date: 2024-06-28
County: Marion
Observer: Casey, Jill
Notes:
Date: 2024-06-26
County: Morgan
Observer: Harrington, Diana
Notes:
Date: 2024-06-25
County: St. Joseph
Observer: Marshall, Nancy
Notes:
Date: 2023-09-20
County: Hamilton
Observer: Kant, Nancy
Notes:
Date: 2023-09-05
County: Porter
Observer: Beach, Sarah
Notes:
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Hemaris thysbe Sightings by Month

Conservation Status