Snowberry Clearwing Moth

Feeds:: Posts; Comments

Snowberry Clearwing Moth

April 24, 2021 by Mike Powell

I was thrilled yesterday to spot this Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris diffinis) as I was wandering about in Occoquan Regional Park. This fascinating insect looks a lot like a bumblebee, but acts a lot like a hummingbird and hovers when it is feeding. Unlike a hummingbird that has a long pointed beak, members of this species have a long proboscis that they curl up when it is not in use, as you can see in the first photo.

The active little moth was very focused on the tiny violets and did not seem bothered by my presence, so I was able to move in quite close for these shots. However, the moth did not linger long on any flower, so I had to move quickly. I do not know how fast the moth was moving its wings, but the shutter speed for these photos was as high as 1/2000 of a second and there was still some wing blur. In case you are curious, Snowberry Clearwing Moths are about 1.25-2.0 inches (32–51 mm) in length.

Posted in Insects, Nature, Photography, spring, wildlife | Tagged Canon 50D, clearwing moth, Hemaris diffinis, Lorton VA, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, proboscis, Snowberry Clearwing Moth, Tamron 180mm | 18 Comments

18 Responses

on April 24, 2021 at 7:55 am | Reply littlepiecesofme1

They are such cool moths!!!!
- on April 24, 2021 at 8:03 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I am always so excited when I see one–they are definitely cool. 🙂
on April 24, 2021 at 8:31 am | Reply Reed Andariese

Very nice series of images of an interesting moth! Great shots!
- on April 24, 2021 at 10:51 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Reed. When I mentally conjure up an image of a moth, this one is not what comes to mind–they almost need their own insect category. 🙂
on April 24, 2021 at 10:28 am | Reply Snowberry Clearwing Moth — Mike Powell

[…] Snowberry Clearwing Moth — Mike Powell […]
on April 24, 2021 at 2:37 pm | Reply kathydoremus

I am always thrilled when these fascinating beauties arrive. Great shots!
on April 24, 2021 at 5:03 pm | Reply Ellen Jennings

Nice captures of this beauty, Mike! Your series really shows off the proboscis, both curled and at work.
on April 24, 2021 at 6:27 pm | Reply Steve Gingold

Very nice, Mike. We get hummingbird moths visiting our bee balm but I have yet to get a decent shot. Kudos.
on April 24, 2021 at 6:48 pm | Reply Dan Antion

Great action shots, Mike.
on April 24, 2021 at 7:30 pm | Reply Eliza Waters

Nice shots, Mike. Cool that you got its proboscis.
on April 25, 2021 at 4:27 am | Reply picpholio

Great shot, the wings are sharp as a knife.
- on April 25, 2021 at 9:25 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. The wings were moving pretty fast, so I was happy that my shutter speed was fast enough to mostly freeze the action.
on April 25, 2021 at 5:02 am | Reply Sherry Felix

Wow!
on April 25, 2021 at 7:12 am | Reply sv-anui.com

Interesting shots Mike of an intriguing critter – part bird, part insect!
- on April 25, 2021 at 9:24 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Chris. It almost sounds like it should be a mythical creature, like a minotaur, sphinx, or pegasus. 🙂
on April 25, 2021 at 7:17 am | Reply Mitzy Bricker

They are amazing!

Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
on January 21, 2023 at 8:56 am | Reply Gerald

Thanks great bblog post
- on January 21, 2023 at 8:58 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Gerald.