Hummingbird Clearwing Moth I

This (Hemaris Thysbe) is one of four hummingbird moth species that live in North America. The photographs in these three galleries were made in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine. Because their wings lose their scales, they are one of the species with transparent wings. Sporting a very long proboscis, they reach deeply into a flower to feed on nectar while hovering like a hummingbird for which they are often mistaken. Their previous life was as a large green caterpillar. Active during the day, you can hear the hum of their wings if one flies near you.