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.
10 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.
My daughter seen a Nessus today (4/17/15) at our purple Lilac. We live in Southern Illinois. I've never even heard of this moth but she described it to me and when I showed her your pictures she said that is exactly what she saw. I hope I'm blessed with seeing it as well and am anxiously awaiting its return.
I saw one in Ukrainian village, chicago il tonight
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