Snowberry Clearwing vs White-banded Sweat Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Snowberry Clearwing White-banded Sweat Bee
Scientific Name Hemaris diffinis Lasioglossum leucozonium
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Sphingidae Halictidae
Size 32-50 mm wingspan 8-10 mm
Habitat Underground Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions North America Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Snowberry Clearwing

A bumblebee mimic with largely transparent wings bordered in dark brown, a fuzzy olive thorax, and black and yellow banding on the abdomen. It feeds while hovering at flowers.

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Did You Know?

This moth is born with scales on its wings but they fall off during the first flight, leaving the characteristic clear windows.

White-banded Sweat Bee

A solitary dark brown furrow bee with conspicuous white hair bands on its abdomen. It is one of the most widespread and common Lasioglossum species in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most generalist of all solitary bees, having been recorded visiting flowers from over 20 plant families.