Nutrition

Female moths will lay their eggs on host plants such as honeysuckle, hawthorns, vibrunum and black cherry. These host plants will provide nutrients needed for the growing young larva. Adult Hummingbird moths typically feed on the nectar from different flowers similar to hummingbirds. The moths will use their long thin proboscis to reach the nectar found deep inside the plants flowers.

The common plants that Hemaris thysbe relies on for food include Japanese Honeysuckle, Black Cherry, Green Hawthorn, Bull Thistle, Highbush Blueberry, Evergreen Blackberry, Red Clover and Black-eyed Susan. In addition as a food source for the moth, these plants also provide shelter against predators of Hemaris thysbe (Moran).