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Snowberry Clearwing

Snowberry Clearwing

Hemaris diffinis

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Forest, Grassland, Urban
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)

This moth often gets mistaken for a large bumblebee due to its color and flight pattern. The moth’s abdomen has yellow and black segments. Its wings appear clear with thin, dark borders and veins. It is also called “hummingbird moth” or “flying lobster”.

Diet

Adults feed on nectar, host plants for the larvae include Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), honeysuckle (Lonicera), dogbane (Apocynum), and dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera).

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Arthropoda
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Class: Insecta
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Order: Lepidoptera
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Family: Sphingidae
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Genus: Hemaris
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Species: Hemaris diffinis

Scientific Name

Hemaris diffinis

Behavior

Adults fly swiftly during the day and can be seen hovering at flowers for nectar. Caterpillars pupate in cocoons spun in leaf litter on the ground.

Ecological Role

Adults pollinate flowers and larvae are a food source for birds and other animals

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Forest
Grassland
Urban

Geographic Distribution

The moth is found from the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, southern Ontario, eastern Manitoba, and in western Quebec in Canada. In the United States this species has been located in southern California and Baja California Norte, Illinois, east through most of the United States from Maine to West Virginia to Florida.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

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