A bumblebee? A hummingbird? A UFO?
There is a buzzing sound. It is here and then it is gone. What was it? Larger than a bumblebee, smaller than a hummingbird, the snowberry clearwing moth zips from flower to flower. It does not land, but hovers close to the bloom. Never staying in one place very long.
What does the snowberry clearwing moth look like?
The fuzzy thorax of the snowberry clearwing is yellow and may look a bit green. The abdomen has black and yellow bands like a bumblebee. Snowberry clearwing moths have wings that move in a figure-eight pattern just like hummingbirds, so they can hover, fly sideways, and backward. Tlonheir wingspan is only about two inches. They have two antennae on their head and two clear wings. They have six black legs like other insects.
What do they eat?
Hummingbird moths eat a sugary sap called nectar found in the blooms of flowers. Bumblebees and hummingbirds also collect nectar. Some nectar is found in blooms that are shaped like a long tube. The hummingbird moths have a mouth straw that reaches down deep into the bloom to sip out the nectar. They can curl this “straw” when it is not in use. This mouth straw on hummingbird moths can be several inches long. Some butterflies also have very long mouth straws.
Where do they live?
Snowberry clearwing moths are found east of the Rocky Mountains. They are seen in many states, from Missouri to Florida to Maine. Look for clearwing moths near a stream, an open field, a flower garden, or a park. These moths love to drink nectar from flowers such as bee balm, clover, and milkweed.
Why are they called clearwing moths?
When the snowberry clearwing moth comes out of its cocoon, its wings are covered by scales. Soon after, some of the scales fall off and the middle of the wing becomes transparent or clear. Moths can move their wings so fast, they send off a buzzing or humming sound just like hummingbirds. The pink blossom of the flower can be seen through the clear wing of the moth in the photo to the right. Can you locate the two antennae and the mouth straw that sucks up the nectar?
How is the snowberry clearwing moth different than other hummingbird moths?
Could you take some time to look at a different hummingbird moth in the above photo? The hummingbird clearwing moth has a green thorax, red abdomen, and red wings. In the photo above, the hummingbird clearwing moth is drawing up nectar from a mimosa bloom. The snowberry moth has black legs, but this moth has pale or red legs. Lastly, the snowberry moth has a black band that goes through the eye and down the side of the thorax.
What is an interesting fact about the snowberry clearwing moth?
With a buzzing to their wings, snowberry clearwing moths can fly up to 12 miles per hour. Hummingbirds can fly up to 30 miles per hour. Dragonflies can fly up to 35 miles per hour. While most moths are active at night, hummingbird moths are active during the daytime. Now, open your eyes and ears to watch and listen for the snowberry clearwing moth.
Extra! What is one difference between a moth and a butterfly?
One way to tell the difference between a moth and a butterfly is to look at their antennae. Can you find the antennae of the moth and the antennae of the butterfly? How are they different? The antenna of the moth is thick like the tooth of a comb. The antenna of the butterfly is thin and has a club at the end.
Extra! Extra!
The mouth straw is called a proboscis (proh bah sus). Listen to the pronunciation of this word using the internet.
Backstory
I first noticed hummingbird moths in the blooms of our mimosa tree, lilac bush, and coral honeysuckle vine. This summer, we saw the hummingbird moths gathering nectar from a prairie plant called Blazing Star in a rocky opening or glade at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area. The moths were fluttering so fast that it was difficult to photograph them.
Literacy Training
Glossary:
antennae – a pair of slim, movable sensory organs on the head of an insect
“Antenna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antenna. Accessed 17 Aug. 2024.
nectar –a sweet liquid given off by plants
“Nectar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nectar. Accessed 17 Aug. 2024.
thorax – the part of the body of a mammal between the neck and the abdomen
“Thorax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thorax. Accessed 17 Aug. 2024.
transparent – fine or sheer enough to be seen through
“Transparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transparent. Accessed 17 Aug. 2024.
Acronyms:
An acronym is an abbreviation of the first letters of a name of something. Acronyms are common. Can you find an acronym in this story? What does it stand for? If you were to make an acronym for snowberry clearwing moth, what would it be?
Simile:
A simile is a type of comparison between two things that uses the words “like or as”. Can you find a simile in this story?
Comprehension:
- Can you name the three main parts of an insect? All three main parts are mentioned in the story.
- Where would you go to look for a snowberry clearwing moth?
- Describe the snowberry clearwing moth.
- What does transparent mean? Sometimes definitions can be found within a text.
- Why might you not see a snowberry clearwing moth fly away?
- What time of year might you expect to see a hummingbird moth?
- Why might the snowberry clearwing moth dress up like a bumblebee?
References
- Snowberry Clearwing. Field Guide. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/snowberry-clearwing
- Moisset, Beatrice. Hummingbird Moth (Hemaris spp.). Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/hummingbird_moth.shtml
- Hummingbird Moth (Clearwing Moth). Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://www.massaudubon.org/nature-wildlife/insects-arachnids/hummingbird-moth
- 2023, January 13. Five Fun Facts about Hummingbird Moths. Forest Preserves of Cook County. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://fpdcc.com/five-fun-facts-about-hummingbird-moths/#:~:text=Most%20hummingbird%20moths%20fly%20at,to%2080%20times%20per%20second.
All photographs are mine. All rights reserved.
Leave a reply