Broad-bordered Bee hawkmoth

Hemaris fuciformis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Distribution: This Transpalearctic species is found across the temperate zone, from North Africa to the Far East and Sakhalin, and is widespread throughout Ukraine.

Bionomics: These mesophilic ecotone species inhabit shrub thickets, forest edges, meadows, and green plantings with honeysuckle. Mostly bivoltine, adults are active during the day, feeding on flower nectar from blue and red flowers, such as Silene, Viscaria, Dianthus, and others. Females lay eggs on honeysuckle leaves, with caterpillars living alone and openly on the host plant. Pupation occurs in a liquid cocoon in the soil.

Abundance and Conservation: Common throughout Ukraine, with a stable population that doesn’t require special conservation measures.