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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Sphingidae 890204.4 – 7854   Hemaris gracilis (Grote & Robinson, 1865)              Slender Clearwing

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Larva and Host Plants: Host familiy: Ericaceae.  Host genera: Vaccinium.  Notes: leaves, other heaths (Wagner 2005).  (Shropshire & Douglas 2025) Description/ Field Marks: Legs reddish to black and a reddish-brown band on the side of the thorax extending from just behind the eye to the abdomen. Similar Species: 890204.3 Hemaris thysbe: has white legs; lacks reddish-brown band on the side of the thorax. 890204.5 Hemaris diffinis:  © Gary Anweiler, E. H. Strickland Museum . Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.) Synonymy: gracilis (Grote & Robinson, 1865) (Haemorrhagia) - MONA 1983: 7854

References (Caution: DNA barcoding at BOLD provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.)

Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Identifications often erroneous; DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; many specimens not sequenced. Hall et al., 2021. The Moths of North Carolina - website (identification, habitats and life history) Hodges, R. W., 1971. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 21:p. 117; pl. 10.15. order or free PDF Shropshire, K.J. & D.W. Tallamy, 2025. Lepidoptera of North America, north of Mexico: an annotated list containing geographic ranges and host-plant records. ZooKeys, 1261: 101-113; Suppl. 1. (PDF or read online) Species Page at Bill Oehlke's moth website - Hemaris gracilis Species Page at BugGuide.Net Species Page at E. H. Strickland Museum Species Page at Mass Moths Species Page at iNaturalist Tuttle, J. P., 2007. Hawk Moths of North America: p. 162; pl. 5.13.

© Brandon Woo

© Chris Schmidt

© Teá Montagna LG 4th Instar on Vaccinium angustifolia © Teá Montagna LG 5th Instar on Vaccinium angustifolia

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