Hemaris thysbe — Hummingbird Clearwing

(Fabricius, 1775)

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

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).

GAIN LP Sightings

Date	County	Observer	Notes	Image1	Image2
2018-08-29	Hamilton	Johnston, Carol	Adult nectaring on Butterfly Bush (Buddleia spp.)
2018-08-13	Delaware	Byrum, Becky	Adults mating
2018-08-12	Wayne	English, Philip	Adult nectaring
2018-08-12	Marion	Jablonski, Barbara	Adult nectaring on Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
2018-08-01	Delaware	Byrum, Becky	Adult nectaring
2018-08-01	Hamilton	Chambon, Rob	Adult
2018-07-29	St. Joseph	Jackley, Kathi	Adult nectaring on wild bergamot (Mondarda fistulosa) at Potato Creek State Park
2018-07-17	Hamilton	Peeler, Sallie	Adult nectaring on Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
2018-07-15	Marion	Tipton, Sandra	Adult nectaring on Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa)
2018-07-14	LaGrange	Selzer, Doug	Adult nectaring on Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa)

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2018-08-29 County: Hamilton Observer: Johnston, Carol Notes: Adult nectaring on Butterfly Bush (Buddleia spp.)
Date: 2018-08-13 County: Delaware Observer: Byrum, Becky Notes: Adults mating
Date: 2018-08-12 County: Wayne Observer: English, Philip Notes: Adult nectaring
Date: 2018-08-12 County: Marion Observer: Jablonski, Barbara Notes: Adult nectaring on Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Date: 2018-08-01 County: Delaware Observer: Byrum, Becky Notes: Adult nectaring
Date: 2018-08-01 County: Hamilton Observer: Chambon, Rob Notes: Adult
Date: 2018-07-29 County: St. Joseph Observer: Jackley, Kathi Notes: Adult nectaring on wild bergamot (Mondarda fistulosa) at Potato Creek State Park
Date: 2018-07-17 County: Hamilton Observer: Peeler, Sallie Notes: Adult nectaring on Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Date: 2018-07-15 County: Marion Observer: Tipton, Sandra Notes: Adult nectaring on Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa)
Date: 2018-07-14 County: LaGrange Observer: Selzer, Doug Notes: Adult nectaring on Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa)

Hemaris thysbe Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

• Global status: G5 (secure)

Reasons: “Huge range, occurs in many habitat types, a familiar species in many eastern U.S. and Canadian gardens.”

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

Floral Associates

Hummingbird Clearwing caterpillars are fairly specialized feeders, only eating from five known genera of plants. Adult moths feed upon nectar of many native flowers with Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) being particularly favored.




Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Dipsicales
Adoxaceae	Viburnum spp.	viburnums
Caprifoliaceae	Lonicera spp.	honeysuckles
	Symphoricarpos spp.	snowberries
Order: Rosales
Rosaceae	Crataegus spp.	hawthorns
	Prunus spp.	cherries