Slender Clearwing - Hodges#7854
Hemaris gracilis
This record describes Hemaris gracilis (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
diurnal, does not come to lights. Only found in small numbers even in the proper habitat
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Macroglossinae
- Tribe
- Dilophonotini
- Genus
- Hemaris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
acidic soils, most often pine woodland, including pitch and jack pine barrens, with an ericaceous understory. Also bogs and open heathlands and acidic oak and oak-pine forests in some locals
Geographic Range
Eastern North America: North Dakota and Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia, south along coast to central Florida. Apparently uncommon and local.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from May (March in south) to August; likely two broods.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on heaths, including Blue Ridge Blueberry ( Vaccinium pallidum [=vacillans] ), and laurel ( Kalmia ). Adults take nectar, mostly in the afternoon of warm (above 21C) days
Life History
One or two generations per year. Eggs are laid singly on host plant leaves and hatch in about 6 days. Larva mature in a month and spin a cocoon on the soil surface where they usually reamin dormant until the following spring. Some pupae may diapause over two winters
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: gracilis is Latin for "slender, slight"
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hemaris gracilis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Slender Clearwing - Hodges#7854 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason , urtica , Robin McLeod , anitagould , Chuck Entz , Jason D. Roberts , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , teakh
Frequently Asked Questions About Slender Clearwing - Hodges#7854
What is Slender Clearwing - Hodges#7854?
Slender Clearwing - Hodges#7854 (Hemaris gracilis) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Slender Clearwing - Hodges#7854?
Wingspan 40-45 mm
Where is Slender Clearwing - Hodges#7854 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | acidic soils, most often pine woodland, including pitch and jack pine barrens, with an ericaceous understory. Also bogs and open heathlands and acidic oak and oak-pine forests in some locals |
| Range | Eastern North America: North Dakota and Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia, south along coast to central Florida. Apparently uncommon and local. |
What does Slender Clearwing - Hodges#7854 eat?
The diet of the Slender Clearwing - Hodges#7854 includes Larvae feed on heaths, including Blue Ridge Blueberry ( Vaccinium pallidum [=vacillans] ), and laurel ( Kalmia ). Adults take nectar, mostly in the afternoon of warm (above 21C) days.
When is Slender Clearwing - Hodges#7854 active?
Slender Clearwing - Hodges#7854: seasonal activity - Adults fly from May (March in south) to August; likely two broods..
What is the life cycle of a Slender Clearwing - Hodges#7854?
One or two generations per year. Eggs are laid singly on host plant leaves and hatch in about 6 days. Larva mature in a month and spin a cocoon on the soil surface where they usually reamin dormant until the following spring. Some pupae may diapause over two winters