What kind of critter? I am aware that this is a photography forum. However, am fascinated by this moth-like thing in my garden. Here's an image of it apparently taking nectar from a...

William Royer Loc: Kansas

I am aware that this is a photography forum. However, am fascinated by this moth-like thing in my garden. Here's an image of it apparently taking nectar from a flower, which I'd like to enlarge and exhibit. Have searched the web to try to identify critter, but haven't found anything very similar in terms of coloring, shape, head shape, and eyes. Can anyone here that can shed some light? If useful, location of this is in high plains of western Kansas. Thank you.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Humming moth, I have many in my flower bushes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird_hawk-moth

lightchime Loc: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

William Royer wrote:

I am aware that this is a photography forum. However, am fascinated by this moth-like thing in my garden. Here's an image of it apparently taking nectar from a flower, which I'd like to enlarge and exhibit. Have searched the web to try to identify critter, but haven't found anything very similar in terms of coloring, shape, head shape, and eyes. Can anyone here that can shed some light? If useful, location of this is in high plains of western Kansas. Thank you.

I believe it is called a hummingbird moth. I have only seen them in a prairie in northwestern Pennsylvania.
By description, a ranger told me what it was.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Cool shot!

Here are a few hummingbird moths, aka white lined sphinx moth, previously posted on UHH:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=hummingbird+moth&u=&sr=true&s=0

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

William Royer wrote:

I am aware that this is a photography forum. However, am fascinated by this moth-like thing in my garden. Here's an image of it apparently taking nectar from a flower, which I'd like to enlarge and exhibit. Have searched the web to try to identify critter, but haven't found anything very similar in terms of coloring, shape, head shape, and eyes. Can anyone here that can shed some light? If useful, location of this is in high plains of western Kansas. Thank you.

White-lined Sphinx Moth ?
See: http://www.insectidentification.org/insects-by-state.asp?thisState=Kansas
or: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/hummingbird-moth--white-lined-sphinx-moth-saija-lehtonen.html

Gitzo Loc: Indiana

William Royer wrote:

I am aware that this is a photography forum. However, am fascinated by this moth-like thing in my garden. Here's an image of it apparently taking nectar from a flower, which I'd like to enlarge and exhibit. Have searched the web to try to identify critter, but haven't found anything very similar in terms of coloring, shape, head shape, and eyes. Can anyone here that can shed some light? If useful, location of this is in high plains of western Kansas. Thank you.

The common name for it is white lined sphinx moth.

http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7894

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Looks like some kind of ugly little bird to me! :lol:
SS

Gitzo Loc: Indiana

SharpShooter wrote:

Looks like some kind of ugly little bird to me! :lol:
SS

They're almost as big as a small humming bird.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Excellent capture William.

greymule Loc: Colorado

William Royer wrote:

I am aware that this is a photography forum. However, am fascinated by this moth-like thing in my garden. Here's an image of it apparently taking nectar from a flower, which I'd like to enlarge and exhibit. Have searched the web to try to identify critter, but haven't found anything very similar in terms of coloring, shape, head shape, and eyes. Can anyone here that can shed some light? If useful, location of this is in high plains of western Kansas. Thank you.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Farmers Wife Loc: Louisburg, KS

Not a hummingbird moth but a white lined Sphinx.