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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
2022-08-21 Marion Olinger, Jill
2022-08-15 Marion Wang Pamela
2022-08-11 Marion Wang Pamela
2022-08-11 Marion Wang Pamela
2022-07-19 Johnson Kohal-Adams, Kim
2022-07-19 Johnson Kohal-Adams, Kim
2022-07-19 Johnson Kohal-Adams, Kim
2022-07-19 Johnson Kohal-Adams, Kim
2022-07-10 Hamilton Freeman, Martha
2022-07-09 Madison Smith, Dean
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Observation Details Images
Date: 2022-08-21
County: Marion
Observer: Olinger, Jill
Notes:
Date: 2022-08-15
County: Marion
Observer: Wang Pamela
Notes:
Date: 2022-08-11
County: Marion
Observer: Wang Pamela
Notes:
Date: 2022-08-11
County: Marion
Observer: Wang Pamela
Notes:
Date: 2022-07-19
County: Johnson
Observer: Kohal-Adams, Kim
Notes:
Date: 2022-07-19
County: Johnson
Observer: Kohal-Adams, Kim
Notes:
Date: 2022-07-19
County: Johnson
Observer: Kohal-Adams, Kim
Notes:
Date: 2022-07-19
County: Johnson
Observer: Kohal-Adams, Kim
Notes:
Date: 2022-07-10
County: Hamilton
Observer: Freeman, Martha
Notes:
Date: 2022-07-09
County: Madison
Observer: Smith, Dean
Notes:
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Hemaris thysbe Sightings by Month

Conservation Status