Invertebrates
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
Hemaris thysbe · also called hummingbird clearwing moths, clearwing hummingbird moth
Hovering in broad daylight in front of a garden flower, a hummingbird clearwing moth extends its long proboscis to feed, its audible wingbeat hum and hummingbird-like body fooling more than a few passersby into looking twice.
Overview
The hummingbird clearwing moth, Hemaris thysbe, is a day-flying moth native to gardens, meadows, and forest edge habitat across a broad range of eastern North America. Its clear-patched wings, hovering flight style, and close resemblance to an actual hummingbird make it one of the most convincingly bird-like insects found anywhere in North America.
A moth doing its best hummingbird impression
Between its hovering flight, audible wing hum, and furry, compact body, the hummingbird clearwing moth manages an impression convincing enough that many people never realise they were actually watching a moth.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and common across suitable garden, meadow, and forest edge habitat throughout eastern North America.
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth: common questions
Why does the hummingbird clearwing moth have clear patches on its wings?
This species is actually born with scales covering its wings like most moths, but the rapid wing beats produced during its very first flights cause many of these scales to rub away almost immediately, leaving large clear patches that persist for the rest of the moth's life and give the species its common name.
Why is the hummingbird clearwing moth mistaken for a hummingbird?
This species hovers in place in front of flowers while feeding, beating its wings rapidly enough to produce an audible hum, and combines this flight style with a furry, robust body similar in size and shape to a small hummingbird, making the resemblance close enough to fool many casual observers at a glance.
Is the hummingbird clearwing moth active at night like other moths?
No, unlike most moths, this species is active during the day, feeding at flowers in broad daylight rather than relying on darkness for cover, a behavioural difference that further contributes to it being mistaken for a hummingbird rather than recognised as a moth.
What does the hummingbird clearwing moth eat as a caterpillar?
This species' caterpillar feeds mainly on honeysuckle, viburnum, and related plants, while the adult feeds only on flower nectar, extending a long, coiled proboscis deep into flowers while hovering in a manner functionally very similar to how an actual hummingbird feeds.