Hemaris diffinis

Snowberry clearwing
	Hemaris diffinis in Augusta, Michigan
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Sphingidae
Genus:	Hemaris
Species:	H. diffinis
Binomial name
	Hemaris diffinis; (Boisduval 1836)
Synonyms
	Macroglossa diffinis Boisduval, 1836; Macroglossa aethra Strecker, 1875; Macroglossa fumosa Strecker, 1874; Sesia axillaris Grote & Robinson, 1868; Sesia grotei Butler, 1874; Hemaris tenuis Grote, 1873; Hemaris metathetis Butler, 1876; Hemaris marginalis Grote, 1873; Haemorrhagia ariadne Barnes & McDunnough, 1910;

Hemaris diffinis, the snowberry clearwing, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. This moth is sometimes called "hummingbird moth" or "flying lobster". This moth should not be confused with the hummingbird hawk-moth of Europe.

Adults[edit]

It is about 32–51 millimetres (1.25–2 in). The moth's abdomen has yellow and black segments much like those of the bumblebee, for whom it might be mistaken due to its color and flight pattern similarities. The moth's wings lack the large amount of scales found in most other lepidopterans, particularly in the centralized regions, making them appear clear. It loses the scales on its wings early after the pupa stage by its highly active flight tendencies.

Hemaris diffinis is a excellent bumblebee mimic.

Male dorsal
Male ventral
Female dorsal
Female ventral

Biology[edit]

It flies during the daylight much like the other hummingbird moths, but it may also continue flight into the evening, particularly if it has found a good source of nectar.

Distribution[edit]

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. Also seen in the Cariboo region of British Columbia.

Food plants[edit]

The larvae feed on plants including dogbane (Apocynum), Lonicera, Viburnum, Amsonia, Triosteum, Diervilla, and Symphoricarpos.

Regional names[edit]

Hemaris diffinis is notable for its colorful nicknames. In certain parts of Appalachia, including West Virginia, Hemaris diffinis is known as "hummingbird moth" or "flying lobster". These nicknames are derived from its supposed physical resemblance to other (genetically unrelated) animals.