Pest Profile

Photo credits: Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org (Left); Joseph O’Brien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org (Right)

Common Name: Hummingbird Clearwing Moth

Scientific Name: Hemaris thysbe

Order and Family: Lepidoptera, Sphingidae

Size and Appearance:

Adult Egg Larvae/ Nymph Pupae

Length (mm) 4-5.5 mm wingspan Appearance Large furry body Pale green, found Green with bright Dark brown, small with bright olive under leaves yellow or green or golden-green stripes along the coloration. Wing length of the margins are body. A large burgundy with a yellow-orange clear center horn fond on the posterior; later turns blue

Type of feeder (Chewing, sucking, etc.): Larvae feed by chewing and adults feed with siphoning mouthparts.

Host plant/s: The caterpillars feed on the foliage of a number of small trees and shrubs including viburnum, honeysuckle, hawthorns, cherries, plums and cranberries. The adults simply feed on nectar from the flowers of many different plants.

Description of Damage (larvae and adults): Larvae cause chewing damage that can lead to general defoliation and leaf chewing marks. Adults do not cause damage.

References: Anweiler, G. G., & Robinson, E.Species page - hemaris thysbe. Retrieved January 20, 2016, from http://entomology.museums.ualberta.ca/searching_species_details.php?s=545

Butterflies and Moths of North America.Hemaris thysbe. Retrieved January 20, 2016, from http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Hemaris-thysbe

Cranshaw, W. (2004). Garden insects of North America: The ultimate guide to backyard bugs Princeton University Press.

Drury, K. (2000). Hemaris thysbe. Retrieved January 20, 2016, from http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hemaris_thysbe/

Oehlke, B.Hemaris thysbe, the hummingbird clearwing moth. Retrieved January 20, 2016, from http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/shthysbe.htm