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
2014-07-31	St. Joseph	Sass, Steve	Nectaring on Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
2014-07-21	St. Joseph	Sass, Steve	Nectaring on Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
2013-08-01	Lake	Welton, Rick	Adult nectaring
2013-07-20	Steuben	Sass, Steve	Adult nectaring on Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata ) at Trine State Recreation Area
2012-08-18	Lake	Sass, Steve	Adult nectaring on Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor) at Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserve

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2014-07-31 County: St. Joseph Observer: Sass, Steve Notes: Nectaring on Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Date: 2014-07-21 County: St. Joseph Observer: Sass, Steve Notes: Nectaring on Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Date: 2013-08-01 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult nectaring
Date: 2013-07-20 County: Steuben Observer: Sass, Steve Notes: Adult nectaring on Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata ) at Trine State Recreation Area
Date: 2012-08-18 County: Lake Observer: Sass, Steve Notes: Adult nectaring on Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor) at Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserve

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