We had a strange visitor at the Byam Learning Garden. At first, it appeared as though a small hummingbird was feeding from newly planted butterfly bushes. But after closer inspection we discovered the visitor was not a bird at all, but an insect – more specifically a hummingbird moth.
The Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) is a species of Sphingidae, hawk moth with a long proboscis, which regularly hovers, making an audible humming noise. This make it look remarkably like a hummingbird when it feeds on flowers.
Hummingbird Moths grow up to two inches long. They have an olive-green body with red bands across their abdomen. Green body “fur” and burgundy wing scales suggest a small ruby throated hummingbird.
Hummingbird Moths live in gardens and forest edges. It is distributed throughout the eastern U.S. and Canada, where it ranges far to the north. Its larvae feed on honeysuckle, buckbrush, wild cherry and plum. Adults hover take nectar at many different flowers, including honeysuckle, beebalm, phlox, lilac and bergamot.
Here’s a video of a hummingbird moth, where you can see how easy it is to mistake these insects for hummingbirds.
9 comments
Mary Delle says:
September 8, 2009 at 1:50 pm (UTC -4 )
When I lived in mid-state New York, I saw a hummingbird moth. It was a rather startling experience, as it was out on a hike. They are just wonderful. Thanks for the post.
Alison Hutchinson says:
September 8, 2009 at 5:00 pm (UTC -4 )
So happy for you to see these little guys! Back in 2001 through 2003 I was living in Cotuit, MA and we too thought it was just a tiny hummingbird, since we had many visiting our feeder. Unlike the hummingbirds, this little guy(or girl) loved the pink impatients and was a daily visitor. Unfortunately, since I’ve moved to Plymouth, MA, I haven’t seen one in the 6 years of gardening. I’ll have to try different flower combinations next year to lure them back into my life!
Paul Harman says:
September 29, 2009 at 7:27 pm (UTC -4 )
Great post, really an amazing moth. It shows there are some beneficial moths out there in our garden. This is the first time I have seen or heard of one, and I wonder if they help with pollination of some plants as they go from one to another. Since we are on the west coast, they aren’t going to be seen here.
Irene DeFelice says:
July 20, 2010 at 3:01 pm (UTC -4 )
I just saw a Hummingbird Moth for the first time in my backyard. We are in Carmel, NY. It looked like a cross between a bumble bee and a hummingbird. I hope to see it again soon.
Vanessa Moore says:
July 29, 2010 at 5:01 pm (UTC -4 )
I live in Plymouth MA (Cedarville) and just saw a hummingbird moth for the first time this summer. I have seen them in others years too, but infrequently. This one hovered over some flowers as I was doing yardwork, so I got to see it really up close. Neat!
Keep looking Alison H. They’re here!
Michelle O says:
August 13, 2010 at 5:56 pm (UTC -4 )
We just saw one in NYC at The Brooklyn Botanical Garden. It was an amazing sight. I was only able to see the wings by taking a photo. They are red with lace inset.
Steve G says:
May 10, 2011 at 7:36 pm (UTC -4 )
Humming bird moth — feeding exactly like your video…silent flight…two bright yellow bands…Columbus, Ohio, ravine wooded setting, Clintonville, about 4 miles north of center of city…feeding on lilac flowers…time: May 10, 7 PM, 2011.
are they common in Ohio?
Dana Robbins says:
June 8, 2011 at 7:34 pm (UTC -4 )
Wow – the first time my wife and I ever saw one – like a tiny hummingbird – yet with two brilliant yellow bands towards the “tail” and (upon closer observation) obviously an insect. We were sitting on our screened porch and got to watch this little guy (or gal) go from flower to flower for about 5 minutes. June 08, 2011 – Avon, CT.
DAWN says:
August 4, 2011 at 4:12 pm (UTC -4 )
JUST SAW ONE OF THESE IN MY YARD, ABINGTON, MA. THE OTHER DAY FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT WAS EATING FROM MY BUTTERFLY BUSH AND LANTANA PLANTS….