Yesterday afternoon, June 1, with September months away, I saw what I thought was a clearwing moth feeding among the bumblebees on the honeysuckle just outside the front door. I though this might be a snowberry, Hemaris diffinis, but then I started checking around. According to What's that Bug?, this is a sphinx moth, as the clearwings are, but they identify this one as a Nessus sphinx (Amphion floridensis).
It seems that the clear, yellow bands on the abdomen are what trigger the identification. But I'm confused--this is definitely a moth that hovers when it feeds (thus the blurry photos), which I thought was the sign of a hummingbird moth, a clearwing. This moth was smaller than the thysbe, and differently marked, but similar in morphology.
Submitted to this week's Friday Ark. Go on over and see who all's on board.
9 comments:
It certainly has the body and markings of a Nessus Sphinx, but I see what you mean about the wings looking clear. Maybe they always look that way when in flight. Not sure about that. I think all Sphinx moths would be able to hover like a Hummingbird. That said, the only time I have seen and photographed a Nessus was when I found one resting atop a juniper at Foley Mountain Conservation Area. I think, based on the body markings, I'd be inclined to think it's a Nessus.
definitely a nessus Pam.. those bright yellow stripes give them away every time. I love em all, great post :)
Thanks Bev, Cindy. Nessus it is then.
Since I found this moth a thysbe started showing up on the same honeysuckle, and black and tiger swallowtails and monarchs have been in the yard. Seems to be a great year so far for moths and butterflies!
I forgot to add that your first photo is a slender clearwing- (Hemaris gracilis). Hummingbird clearwings (Hemaris thysbe) do not emerge until later in the season.
and yep, they can all hover.. magical aren't they :)
(and not all sphingidae species can hover to feed- most, but not all)
The first photo is from last September, pretty sure it's a hemaris--but I did see a similar moth a few days after the Nessus I thought was a thysbe, but seemed small, so I guess that was gracilis. A quick search reveals that wing markings and markings of the underside of the abdomen distinguish these two--neither of which I saw...
We just saw a Nessus Sphinx in our red lilac tree tonight. My husband & daughter saw it earlier today. We thought it was cool. Thanks for the information- it took my husband awhile to find exactly what it was with pictures to look at it.
You all cleared up a mystery for me. Saw a Nessus, I think, along the Susquehanna River in Pa. today(4/24) on wild phlox. Very cool!
I was out watering yesterday and saw a nessus for the first time. It was so interesting to watch. I thought it was a hummingbird at first but knew something was different. The one I saw had the yellow stripes and was feeding on my orange and yellow lantana. It was really cool to watch.
what a wonderful pictures, I want to ask you something, do you used some type of special lens to take those pictures? because looks like slow motion pictures.
Post a Comment