Hemaris thysbe, the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth or Common Clearwing, readily visits flowers by day throughout the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada, where it ranges far to the north, even into the Yukon. It is not difficult to see why many gardeners would mistake an Hemaris thysbe moth for a small hummingbird as it hovers, sipping nectar from flowers through a long feeding tube. The moth hovers briefly, sipping for only a few seconds before darting off to a new flower. Green body "fur" and burgundy wing scales suggest a small ruby throated hummingbird. 

The actual body length of this moth is about 3/4", wingspan 1 9/16 - 2 3/16 inches 4 - 5.5 cm.

HUMMINGBIRD CLEARWING MOTH,  August 16, 2009

DEERPIX HOME, CEDARBURG, WI

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