Hemaris diffinis photo courtesy of T.W. Davies.

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY: Family: Sphingidae, Latreille, 1802 Subfamily: Macroglossinae, Harris, 1839 Tribe: Dilophonotini, Burmeister, 1878 Genus: Hemaris (Dalman, 1816) ........... Species: diffinis (Boisduval, 1836)

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DISTRIBUTION:

The Snowberry Clearwing Moth or Bumblebee Moth (wingspan 1 1/2 - 2" (37-50mm)) flies from the Northwest Teritories south to British Columbia, and east to Nova Scotia in Canada. In the U.S. Hemaris diffinis flies from Maine to Florida and westward to southern California and Baja California Norte and into Mexico.

I have not seen this species on Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Ken Philip has taken this species in Haines, Alaska.

Hemaris diffinis from southern British Columbia,
courtesy of Jeremy B. Tatum and Dr. John Snyder.

Hemaris diffinis newly emerged, Florida, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Hemaris diffinis, Peterborough, Ontario, May 22, 2007, courtesy of Tim Dyson.

Hemaris diffinis is a very variable species, but almost always the abdomen sports contrasting black and yellow hairs, the ventral surface being quite black. The legs also tend to be quite dark and there is a black mask running across the eye and along the sides of the thorax.

Hemaris diffinis, Peterborough, Ontario, May 29, 2007, courtesy of Tim Dyson.

Adults mimic bumblebees and are quite variable, both geographically and seasonally. The wings are basically clear, with dark brown to brownish-orange veins, bases and edges. The thorax is golden-brown to dark greenish-brown. The abdomen tends to be dark (black) with 1-2 yellow segments just before the terminal end. These yellow segments are in much sharper contrast to the rest of the abdomen than in somewhat similar species. Also note the relatively narrow dark outer margin of the hindwing. Most fresh specimens also have some blue "fur" tufts highlighting the first black band on the abdomen.

Hemaris diffinis male (Louisiana) courtesy of Vernon A. Brou.

This moth hovers over flowers in full sunlight, producing a buzzing sound with its wings, similar to that of a hummingbird.

The black abdomen and black legs are evident in these specimens from Texas, courtesy of Mike Van Buskirk.

Hemaris diffinis, captured while nectaring at Leucophyllum texanum, July 1, 2006,
4:45 pm, Texas, courtesy of Mike Van Buskirk.

Hemaris diffinis, captured while nectaring at Leucophyllum texanum, July 1, 2006,
4:45 pm, Texas, courtesy of Mike Van Buskirk.

The dorsal surfaces of the legs in Hemaris thysbe are whitish-pale grey, and the legs of Hemaris gracilis are red.

FLIGHT TIMES:

There are usually two broods annually from March-September depending upon latitude. The moth is seen along forest edges, in meadows, gardens and brushy fields. Adults like to nectar at lantana, dwarf bush honeysuckle, snowberry, orange hawkweed, thistles, lilac and Canada violet.

Hemaris diffinis, Great Falls, Fairfax County, Virginia, May 12, 2005,
"©2004 Duncan Champney. Used with permission."

ECLOSION:

Regular sized moths emerge from seemingly small pupae when this species is reared in captivity.

Larvae pupate in thin walled cocoons under leaf litter.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in the males with a pheromone released from a gland at the tip of the abdomen.

EGGS, LARVAE, PUPAE:

Hemaris diffinis, immature larva, August 20, 2006, Joan F. Rickert

Based on foodplant, lateral lines and yellow granules on the first segment which projects over the head, I would agree with Joan's determination.

David Wikle obtained eggs from a female in Pasadena, California, elevation 5000 feet on June 24, 2007. His image of an egg is to the right. David indicates pupation began on July 15-16 so progress was quite rapid. His images of first instars and second instar are below. Moths are expected in nine days to two weeks.

Caterpillars pass through five instars and are pale green on the back and darker green on the sides, with numerous white flecks in the final instar. The anal horn is bright yellow at base and blue-black at the tip. There are longitudinal brown stripes on the underside. The legs are almost white and barred with dark brown. There is a double row of yellow granules on the first segment which projects over head. The spiracles along side of body are very evident, being ringed in pale blue. Larval host plants include Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), honeysuckle (Lonicera), Coralberry, viburnums, Blue Dogbane (Apocynum) and dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). Larval image to the right courtey of Tony Thomas. Pupation is in a very flimsy cocoon at ground surface. The inch long pupa is brown.

Hemaris diffinis courtesy of G. A. Hardy

Hemaris diffinis Florida, courtesy of Leroy Simon

Hemaris diffinis North Dakota, courtesy of Gerald Fauskes
Walsh County, Homme Dam. August 14, 2001, on Symphoricarpos sp.

In the fall, when larvae are ready to pupate, they take on an orange to burgundy hue as per these pictures courtesy of Tammie Hache, September 25, 2004, Northern Ontario, 3 hours east of Thunder Bay.

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Those who first published descriptions and assigned scientific names to many insects, simply chose names of biblical or mythological origin without any real descriptive qualities. Their purpose was simply to set a standard for purposes of identification by assigned name. On some occasions, names, mostly of Latin or Greek origin, were chosen to signify a particular character of the genus or of an individual species.

The genus name "Hemaris" is probably a Latin adjective form for blood. It may have been chosen by Dalman based on the burgundy-red scales on the wings.

The original choice of "Macroglossa" would have been for the relatively large, glassy (clear) areas of the wings.

I do not know the origin of the species name "diffinis".

The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

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