Moths of North Carolina
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2 NC Records

Hemaris aethra (Strecker, 1875) - Diervilla Clearwing

No image for this species.
Taxonomy
Family: SphingidaeSubfamily: MacroglossinaeP3 Number: 890204.7 MONA Number: 7855.20
Comments: A Holarctic genus of 20 species of which 5 occur in North America and 4 in North Carolina. They are often called hummingbird or bumblebee moths, and are among the best known sphingids to North Carolinians.
Species Status: Hemaris aethra was recently described by Schmidt (2018) and closely resembles H. diffinis. Despite being morphologically similar, H. aethra differs markedly from H. diffinis in mtDNA sequences, genitalia, larval markings and host plants. It is more closely related to a western species (H. thetis) than our eastern species. The close similarity of Hemaris aethra and H. diffinis likely reflects Bayesian mimicry where both species have converge evolutionarily to resemble Bombus bumblebee models.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Schmidt (2018) noted that photographs of live specimens are difficult or impossible to distinguish from those of H. diffinis (see the description of that species). Overall, H. aethra appears slightly larger and more robust in side-by-side comparisons of pinned specimens, with an overall richer orange-yellow tone compared to H. diffinis in corresponding spring versus summer broods. In addition, this species has a slight more red scaling on the forewing apex and hindwing anal margin relative to that of H. diffinis. These species are best separated by using either DNA barcoding, genitalia or larval coloration. Images that show the spiracles, along with information of the the host plant, can be used for positive field identifications.
Forewing Length: Mean forewing lengths of 20.7 - 21.6 mm versus 18.2-19.6 mm for H. diffinis (Schmidt, 2018).
Adult Structural Features: Schmidt (2018) has illustrations of the female genitalia, which are diagnostic in separating H. aethra from H. diffinis. In particular, the relative width of the postvaginal plate.
Immatures and Development: Schmidt (2018) reported that the larvae of H. aethra are distinctive, and are the only North American Hemaris with bright red spiracles (usually margined with black), a yellow prothoracic collar and a pink-purple caudal horn with a black apex. The base of the caudal horn is pinkish-purple, but occasionally yellow and grading into pinkish edging. By comparison the spiracles of H. diffinis are black.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Schmidt (2018) identified specimens from Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, northern Michigan and northern New York and believed that it likely occurs throughout the northern Great Lakes region. This species was recently found in western North Carolina in Jackson County, and in nearby Haywood County (iNat).
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

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Immature Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: The adults fly during the spring and summer months in the northern parts of the range.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are closely associated with areas that support bush-honeysuckles such as rocky woods and road banks, rock outcrops, and shrubby balds.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae appear to specialize on species of Diervilla, including Northern Bush-honeysuckle (D. lonicera) and Southern Bush-honeysuckle (D. sessilifolia). These are typically found at higher elevations in the Blue Ridge.
Observation Methods: The adults are active during the day and the larvae can be found on bush-honeysuckles.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for Montane Dry-Xeric Forests and Shrublands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: [W3]
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G4 S1S3
State Protection:
Comments: This species has only recently been determined to occur in North Carolina and needs much more surveying to determine its status. However, it appears to be tied to species of Diervilla as its larval host plants, which themselves are considered to be uncommon to rare: Diervilla sessilifolia is listed as S4, Diervilla lonicera as S2, and Diervilla rivularis as S1. Since host plant specialists are generally much rarer and of greater conservation concern than their host plants themselves, aethra should, at the very least, be placed on the Natural Heritage Program's Watch List. If, like several other of our montane species, this moth turns out to have a highly disjunct occurrence in our area and possibly reflecting its status as a Pleistocene relict, it should probably be considered a high conservation priority here in North Carolina.