Hummingbird Clearwing Moth vs Margined Leatherwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hummingbird Clearwing Moth Margined Leatherwing
Scientific Name Hemaris thysbe Chauliognathus marginatus
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Sphingidae Cantharidae
Size 38-50 mm wingspan 9-12 mm
Habitat Woodlands Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Eastern North America from Canada to the Gulf states Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Margined Leatherwing

An early-summer soldier beetle found across eastern North America with yellow elytra edged in dark margins. It visits a wide variety of flowers.

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Did You Know?

Unlike the similar goldenrod soldier beetle, this species appears in late spring rather than autumn.