Squash Vine Borer


Posted by NiagaraMike on Sun Jul 19, 2015 6:10 pm

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Image
Thanks Tom and Ross Hill at Bug Guide.

It is a Squash Vine Borer. I had NO idea... thinking Hummingbird clear wing was the closest ...

I got a few images but it was not so cooperative with the 60 mm macro and gone before I wanted to stop....

Floats like a butterfly stings like a bee. Oops wrong movie.

D800 with 60 mm micro.


Last edited by NiagaraMike on Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:55 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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by Tom Whelan on Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:09 pm
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Fine image and a neat species, the milkweed makes a great setting.

On the ID, there are three related moths that go by the common name "hummingbird clearwing": Hemaris thysbe, Hemaris diffinis, and Hemaris gracilis. Those three don't have the dark area at the forewing margin in your photo, and the abdomen of the Hemaris moths is different as well (see http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.e ... odges=7854).  Looks like a Sphinx moth cousin to the clearwings. Try posting your image at bugguide.net, someone there should be able to give you an ID.
Tom

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by NiagaraMike on Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:48 pm
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Tom Whelan wrote:Fine image and a neat species, the milkweed makes a great setting.

On the ID, there are three related moths that go by the common name "hummingbird clearwing": Hemaris thysbe, Hemaris diffinis, and Hemaris gracilis. Those three don't have the dark area at the forewing margin in your photo, and the abdomen of the Hemaris moths is different as well (see http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.e ... odges=7854).  Looks like a Sphinx moth cousin to the clearwings. Try posting your image at bugguide.net, someone there should be able to give you an ID.


Thanks Tom.  

Ross Hill ID'd it a few minutes after I posted it. I will change the title to 

Squash Vine Borer
 

by Matthew Pugh on Mon Jul 20, 2015 5:07 am
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Hi

Nice shot of an interesting looking bug - I can see where you thought clear wing, but then you can include me in the hopeless at ID'ing group (LOL)


All the best
Matthew
 

by NiagaraMike on Mon Jul 20, 2015 7:32 am
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Matthew Pugh wrote:Hi

Nice shot of an interesting looking bug - I can see where you thought clear wing, but then you can include me in the hopeless at ID'ing group (LOL)


All the best
Matthew


Thanks Matthew. This one looks and behaves so similarly  that it is a tough call. Our abilities are still intact on this one.
 

by Leighayres on Mon Jul 20, 2015 3:58 pm
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Nice shot and interesting looking moth. I do like the perch, as well.
Leigh Ayres
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by NiagaraMike on Mon Jul 20, 2015 9:19 pm
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Thanks Leighayres... it is different to be sure. AND it landed in the swamp milkweed in my garden to feed.
 

by John Benway on Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:18 pm
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Very appealing colors and composition. Beautifully seen and presented.
 

by NiagaraMike on Tue Jul 21, 2015 9:11 pm
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John Benway wrote:Very appealing colors and composition. Beautifully seen and presented.
Thanks John.
 

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