Monday, August 17, 2009

Clearwing Moth

Ok, it is a Clearwing Moth.
But is it a Hummingbird Clearwing or a Snowberry Clearwing?Naturally it liked the zinnia blooms that were beyond their peak.
This is the first time I have seen one in person, and I cannot tell which it is.
He did finally move to better looking bloom.
I am posting every one I took, in hopes somebody can tell me which one it is.





So which is it?
No matter what, I know for sure I have to stop whining about the lack of volume of butterflies this year. I am seeing some special butterflies and moths.
UPDATE: These are the Snowberry Clearwing Moth. Click here to view a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth. Click here to view a Snowberry Clearwing Moth. Notice how red looking the Hummingbird Moth is.
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24 comments:

Sunny said...

All I can say is, "Amazing!"
Sunny :)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Ha--you know that I'm not the one to ask about moths or butterflies. Whatever it is, it is very pretty. Like you said, you have quality this year instead of quantity.

Have a great day,
Hugs,
Betsy

Shelley said...

I'd be the person asking you what this is! LOL! You captured a lot of nice photos of this moth/bug/etc. enjoying your flower!

Susie said...

Well I am definitely no expert on moths. But I'd call it a hummingbird moth just so I could say I had seen one. The pics are great Leedra!

Anonymous said...

I kinda like Susie's answer! Sometimes I feel guilty when I don't dead head the plants, but like you say, those are the plants the insects seem to enjoy the most! Great pics and I hope someone can help identify.

Janice K said...

Very pretty! The 4th picture really shows the beauty of their wings....

Connie said...

When I occasionally see one I call it a hummingbird moth. I'll be coming back to your post to see which it really is.

Wall-to-wall books said...

I think I have seen those! Funky looking!

Darla said...

You know I learn about flying friends from you. I think Zinnias are pretty at any stage...I see seeds for next year at this stage!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Leedra,
Nice series of photos of that
clearwing moth. I believe what
you have here is the Snowberry
Clearwing, because of the yellow
band near the end of the abdomen.
Also, snowberries seem to have a
"lone ranger" mask look to them.
According to W.J.Holland's "The
Moth Book" (1934), it appears to
be the summer form "axillaris".
Hap in New Hope

Dorothy said...

Hi Leedra,
I'm no expert on these, but after Googling and getting some pictures, I determined that mine was and Snowberry Clearwing and I think yours is too. They are small and are seen in the daytime, where some kinds are larger and are seen very late in the afternoon. I think the term "Hummingbird moth" is loosly applied to many similar kinds of these sphinx moths.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Glad you got an ID,but whoever it is,I like the pictures.
Blessings,Ruth

Dawn said...

They are oh so close! I see the hummingbird every year, the little beak is definate. We always ask ourselfs if it's a baby hummingbird! So funny the conversation!

tina said...

Such good photos of it. So great everyone was able to help you out. I am not help because when I see one of these I just call them all hummingbird moths because I don't want to work my brain too hard figuring it out:) That's bad huh? Not really, because blogging takes care of it mostly!

I am going to be on the lookout for that hackberry emperor. It is most neat and does blend in with your brick.

Alan Pulley said...

Great captures Leedra!

I had a Hummingbird Clearwing around my lantana most of the summer. Neat moths!

Jen said...

I've still never have seen one of these hummiingbird moths in real life, actually never even heard of them until last summer from blogging.
I am back from AZ, I had a good productive week. ;)

DeniseinVA said...

They are amazing little creatures. You've gotten some really great photos Leedra.

NCmountainwoman said...

Lovely photographs. How nice that he stayed around for all those views.

Unknown said...

He's amazing! I didn't even know they existed!

Eve said...

I just love these guys Leedra, great photos.

Tina said...

Neat shots, Leedra, but I've never seen one of these guys before..he sure is busy with your flowers..I bet he loves your gardens!!

Rose said...

Fabulous captures, Leedra!

Unknown said...

I'm glad you figured out which moth, because I couldn't tell you. The snowberry clearwing moth is beautiful on the bright pink zinnia.

Mary said...

You got great photos of it! I guess I thought the Snowberry was just a name of a particular clearwing hummingbird moth. I thought it was all one and the same. Your photos really are beautiful of this little interesting critter.

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