I was out on my back deck the other night, & this thing came by & chased me all around the porch. It looked like a hummingbird, but made no sound - flitted like a bat, not a hummer. (too busy screaming & running for dear life to get a picture) I was worried it was a screwed up baby bat. (we have lots of distemper & rabies here) After I stopped laughing at myself, I saw it was drinking the nectar from my Tatula Daturas, which open up at night. I came to the conclusion that it was indeed a moth - a large moth with irridescent eyes, a very curved body, and bat-like wings. Is anyone familiar with a type of jumbo moth in the Northeast? I would love to learn about this creature, if I can identify it! Any help out there?
Help me figure out this "moth"
Probably a hawk moth, aka sphinx moth - family Sphingidae.
yep, Sphinx Moth.
Link below list the common ones for your area
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/moths/ct/toc.htm#sphingidae
That's a great site!
~'spin!~
Thanks so much for the info - I wish I could have gotten a closer look, especially the colors. (too dark) I attribute this sighting to the Datura - this is the first season I have had this variety. I don't know how I could tell which one, but the first moth on the list (Pink Spotted Hawkmoth) mentions Jimson Weed as a food source. Now I will keep an eye out for this moth again -without fear! So good to know I can count on the people at DG to help.
Good to know that the Jimson Weed growing on the pile of top soil yet to be hauled into the yard and leveled just might be the reason I've seen two of these creatures in my flower beds so far this summer. The latest sighting was this evening, this one was happily feeding from my marigolds. I just couldn't get to the camera fast enough to catch it. (Ain't it always THE way? ;-))
~julie~
August issue of Birds and Blooms had a picture of Hemaris thysbe, hawk moth
(Humming bird clearwing moth). It really does act, fly and look like a humming bird.
Hey kids!
I got this little beauty on film (digital) and a couple of digital quick movies of it, as well. It's beautiful! I found it in Peterson Feild Guides Hummingbirds of North America, by Sheri L Williamson. Closest I can place it is the Strawberry Clearwing or Hummingbird Clearwing. As for my photos-I can upload a photo, but I don't seem to be able to upload more than one. I'll see if I can't get them up online tho and then let yas know where.
This message was edited Aug 11, 2004 4:51 PM
Hawklover ... RE: " As for my photos-I can upload a photo, but I don't seem to be able to upload more than one .. "
I do believe ya gotta upload your pics ... one-at-a-time (as in each pic, in a separate post).
Will be watchin' for the pics ... Good 'luck'! - mags
YUP! go back and add another post as you did in the first place. :>))
IOW, you "reply" to yourself!
~'spin!~
P.S. Great shot!
This message was edited Aug 14, 2004 10:10 PM
Hi, I'll add one more of my hummingbird moth. This one does make sound just like a hummer.
Wow - what a gorgeous creature!
.. Gracious me, poorgeorge .. that looks like 'corn stalks' .. but what is it - really? .. the plant there in that pic?
(Perhaps I need to be lookin' for new eyeglasses myself!} ... HEE
poorgeorge, is that corn or what? Whats that flower doin there? :-)
The first time I saw one of these hummingbird moth's I thought I discovered something and came here to find they were quit common. I love purple verbena and have a lot of it in my hanging pots and window boxes and that's where I saw my first moth, I actually got right up close and got some pretty good pictures of it.
This was in Carmel Valley at my favorite nursery.
That's the beak look, here's the feeding tube they have!
Pretty cool, monte.