CLOSED: I think this might be a hummingbird moth???

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
Jnette Northeast, WA(Zone 5a) Aug 11, 2011

This is on my front deck and I think it might be a hummingbird moth. It doesn't seem to be dead, but it doesn't move. It is on the chair out there. It is 3 to 4 inches across from the tips of the wings, the body is about 1 1/2 or 2 inches long. Seems to have a couple of "horns"?

Mostly a blue-gray with a little brown on the bottom section of the wings Thing their might be an "eye" in this section.

What is it, and what does it eat on? I have not seen any damage from anything eating my plants.

Thumbnail by Jnette
Post #8751311
Quote
DonnaB Vancleave, MS(Zone 8b) Aug 11, 2011

Pandorus I think. If still there tomorrow see if it is laying eggs on your chair or it maybe waiting for a mate. They feed on Virginia Creeper and Grape leaves
I say this based on your description because there isn't enough detail showing of back markings. Would you happen to have a shot from the backside??

Description of the 1eye doesn't match Jnettes description Some moths are highly variable in their markings as is the 1 eye but not one site said anything about blueish greenish coloring as per Jnettes description

This message was edited Aug 12, 2011 7:46 PM

Post #8751505
Quote
kwanjin (Zone 7a) Aug 11, 2011

One-eyes Sphinx? Smerinthus cerisyi.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/3707

Post #8751511
Quote
DonnaB Vancleave, MS(Zone 8b) Aug 12, 2011

Here is a great sight for photo IDs of thousands of moths. The Link I put starts with the Royals and Silk moths then click next plate at the bottom of page to go to the Sphinx moths
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/fast.php?plate=19&sort=h

Post #8752875
Quote
Jnette Northeast, WA(Zone 5a) Aug 12, 2011

Donna, I do think it might be a sphinx moth of some kind but I didn't see it there. Thanks, Jeanette

Post #8752978
Quote
kwanjin (Zone 7a) Aug 12, 2011

This one is almost identical.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/99713

Post #8753089
Quote
Jnette Northeast, WA(Zone 5a) Aug 12, 2011

I'll go along with that. I don't have the moth any more. The blue jays grab them as soon as they can in the morning. Good protein. I suppose I should have put the moth in a container but I don't like to interrupt whatever they are doing. Jeanette

Post #8753149
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Insect and Spider Identification Threads

Go to all Insect and Spider Identification threads
BACK TO TOP