Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/07/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Craig, That makes two votes for the Snowberry. I will update the title in my gallery. Thanks for taking the trouble to check this out. Jim Nichols Tullahoma, TN USA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Craig Zeni" <clzeni@mindspring.com> To: <lug@leica-users.org> Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 7:45 AM Subject: [Leica] Re: IMG: Another Swallowtail and an Unknown Insect > > >> Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:06:15 -0500 >> From: "Jim Nichols" <jhnichols@bellsouth.net> >> Subject: [Leica] IMG: Another Swallowtail and an Unknown Insect >> To: "LUG@Leica-Users.org" <lug@leica-users.org> >> Cc: olympus@ml.free.fr >> Message-ID: <B5CE7FF47CE54161B0ADC6CCCD4E0780@jimnichols> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" >> >> Our patio flowers continue to attract subjects for photos, though the >> subjects are never very cooperative. Two examples are attached, and I >> need help identifying one of the insects. >> >> This Black Swallowtail shows up most days, but never stays long. Today, >> I got an opportunity for an image. >> >> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Another+Swallowtail.tif.html >> >> This unknown specie, larger than most bumblebees and having an unusual >> rear shape with no evident stinger, shows up each day, but this is the >> first time I could get near it with my camera. The wings never stop >> moving, even when it rests on a bloom, so a photo presents quite a >> challenge. >> >> Can anyone identify this one? I have looked at all our reference books, >> and searched online, but have seen nothing like it. >> >> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Unknown+Insect.tif.html > > From my buddy the entomologist Dr. Bug: > > Snowberry clearwing > Hemaris diffinis (Boisduval, 1836) > > Attributes of Hemaris diffinis > Family: Sphinx Moths, Hawkmoths (Sphingidae) > Subfamily: Macroglossinae (Macroglossinae) > Identification: Adults mimic bumblebees. Wings are transparent with dark > brown to light brownish orange borders. Forewing cell lacks dark scales. > Life history: Adults fly swiftly during the day. Caterpillars pupate in > cocoons spun in leaf litter on the ground. > Flight: . Two broods from March-August. > Wing span: 1 1/4 - 2 inches (3.2 - 5 cm). > Caterpillar hosts: Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), honeysuckle (Lonicera), > dogbane (Apocynum), and dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). > Adult food: Nectar from flowers including lantana, dwarf bush > honeysuckle, snowberry, orange hawkweed, thistles, lilac, and Canada > violet. > > CZ > Friends with Esoteric Knowledge, NC > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >