Hummingbird Moths
Mar 9, 2012 08:27:23 #
If you spend much time in the garden, you have probably seen a Hummingbird Moth. If you haven't recognized it, it's because they are VERY fast, they are readily mistaken for actual hummingbirds and they almost never perch. While there are several types, and the type varies with your location, they are all about the same size and have the same feeding habits.
I invite you to post your shots along with mine posted below.
Thanks for looking.
Bob
I invite you to post your shots along with mine posted below.
Thanks for looking.
Bob
This is the only one I ever saw perched
Mar 9, 2012 09:10:08 #
Mar 9, 2012 12:40:17 #
Mar 9, 2012 22:27:07 #
Mar 9, 2012 23:14:05 #
Susan.G.
Loc: Avoca, Michigan
We get a lot of these. My bird reference actually calls them Hawk moths. No clue why. Your pictures are gorgeous. Really enjoyed seeing them.
Mar 9, 2012 23:25:59 #
Mar 10, 2012 08:13:40 #
Mar 10, 2012 08:52:36 #
nikron7 wrote:
Wow! Great shots. I didn't even know they existed until now.
Thanks nikron7!
Bob
Mar 10, 2012 08:58:08 #
Susan.G. wrote:
We get a lot of these. My bird reference actually calls them Hawk moths. No clue why. Your pictures are gorgeous. Really enjoyed seeing them.
Susan. G., in my reference books, they are more commonly grouped as Sphinx moths, Clearwing moths, or Hummingbird moths. There are several distinct varieties but all seem to have similiar habits. Thanks for your comments.
Bob
Mar 10, 2012 09:01:54 #
bloom
You really captured this one nicely nectaring on the Common Milkweed bloom.
Feel free to post as many as you like.
Bob
14kphotog wrote:
This is one from last year.
You really captured this one nicely nectaring on the Common Milkweed bloom.
Feel free to post as many as you like.
Bob
Mar 10, 2012 09:04:17 #
Erv wrote:
A few of mine from last spring.
Erv
Erv
Really good shots, Erv, especially the second one where you got a nice shot of the coiled proboscis.
Bob
Mar 10, 2012 09:13:04 #
bob_71 wrote:
Really good shots, Erv, especially the second one where you got a nice shot of the coiled proboscis.
Bob
Erv wrote:
A few of mine from last spring.
Erv
Erv
Really good shots, Erv, especially the second one where you got a nice shot of the coiled proboscis.
Bob
Thanks Bob, They are about as fast as the Humming Birds. Chased them throughout the gardens all summer. Fun stuff.
Erv
Mar 10, 2012 09:30:38 #
Mar 10, 2012 09:58:55 #
Im about ashamed to show these due to the focus issue. I chased this guy for about an hour on my Azaleas and this was the best I could do. I had just purchased my camera and was getting very frustrated. This year....if he shows up....im gonna shoot him for sure!
Mar 10, 2012 10:04:40 #
Fine shots! The family is usually called the Sphinx Moths, and includes the big sphinxes (e.g. tomato hornworm) and some smaller ones like your Bumblebee Moths, plus a lot of bark-imitating moths. I found one with a 14 inch proboscis in Costa Rica. I think the name Spinx comes from the characteristic pose of the larvae when disturbed -- they raise the front of the body and roll the head down, looking something like the Sphynx. Perhaps they're also named for "hawking", or hovering at flowers. Clearwing moths are another family entirely that mostly mimic wasps.
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