Broad-footed Colletes vs Hummingbird Clearwing Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Broad-footed Colletes Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
Scientific Name Colletes halophilus Hemaris thysbe
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Colletidae Sphingidae
Size 9-12 mm 38-50 mm wingspan
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Western Europe Eastern North America from Canada to the Gulf states
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Broad-footed Colletes

A rare coastal specialist plasterer bee that forages on sea aster in saltmarsh habitats. It is restricted to a narrow band of habitat along European coasts.

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Did You Know?

Rising sea levels and saltmarsh erosion directly threaten its nesting sites, making it one of the bees most vulnerable to climate change.

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth

A day-flying sphinx moth with transparent wings bordered in reddish-brown that closely resembles a hummingbird. It hovers at flowers while feeding with its long proboscis.

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Did You Know?

Its wings are initially covered in scales when it emerges from its cocoon, but the scales fall off during its first flight, leaving them transparent.