I spent a lot of time outside today watching 2 hummingbirds and when I saw this guy I thought I had a baby! But when I was finally able to see it, it turned out to be a hummingbird moth. I have never seen it before and have no idea what kind it is. It was moving a lot faster than the few others I've had visit, like real hummers, so I had a hard time getting a pic. I wasn't very happy that they didn't come out great, which will inspire me to stand around waiting for another chance tomorrow.
It had one large white stripe and what looked like white spots around the tail.
Congrats KK on your hummingbird Clearwing!!!!!!! Aren't they just the neatest thing. Look like a huge bee from a distance
But I'm not so sure it's a Clearwing. I have White-Lined Sphinx's and a have seen a Clearwing a few times but they don't look like this one. I looked around and can't find anything that looks like this. I really thought it was a small hummingbird because it's body was so dark and it had that bright white stripe and spots.
Whatever kind it is, I love it! I'll be watching for it constantly now.
WOW! Excellent photos...you can see the eyes!!!
Am thinking it looks like the Clavipes Sphinx Moth (aellopos clavipes) we have down here in the deep south Texas.. I see them every now and them frequenting my Duranta bush early in the morning. First thought it was a baby hummer too :o) drats!!! But it's still an interesting bugger to watch. They are fast!!! Have seen some that are about as big as a hummie and some smaller ones that are about 1 to 1.5 inches and verrrrrrrrry cute!!!
This is a photo one that frequented my yard.
~ Cat
This message was edited Sep 6, 2006 9:27 AM
...and another photo...they sure do like the Duranta!!!
~ Cat
Cat I think your is the Nessus Sphinx and KK I now believe that is what your is too. I wasn't able to see the wings clearly in the pics. As far as I know there is only the Nessus Sphinx, Snowberry and Hummingbird Clearwings that have that kind of body
This message was edited Sep 6, 2006 10:03 AM
Actually I think Cat is right. Those pics look exactly like the one I saw. The Nessus is the only one I could find yesterday that resembled it but it has 2 white stripes and didn't look quite the same. The only difference is the white spots mine had on the bottom, which neither of these have, but who knows what those are.
...the description actually says that the Nessus has 2 yellow bands and the other has a white band.
This message was edited Sep 6, 2006 12:33 PM
another new one on me. Not in my books. I think they have their own books for south Tx for things we never have lol
Yes, the aellopos clavipes was id'd by a Texas Entomologist. Gotta love all the cute buggers we get in Texas!!!
~ Cat
I'm not so sure now! I think THIS is it: Aellopos titan. I came across this name when I was looking thru the info on the Aellopos clavipes. Do a Google search for images with the A. titan name and the pics show the 3 white spots/squares across the bottom that I saw. It doesn't seem to be very common in my area either. I wish I had more pics! I'm glad I stayed outside for so long watching it tho. It was flying during the day and I never saw it at night. I didn't get a chance to go out today but I will tomorrow, camera in hand!
I'm jealous of you 2 lol
I just saw one myself but doesn't have the coloring of yall's. Mine just had a muted brown body.
I too thought I had a baby hummingbird and the longer I watched it and moved around a bit, it's habits were not as skittish as a H'bird.
Although I never heard of one, it could have no other name than hummingbird moth.
Maybe if he comes back I can get a photo and will post.
Molly
:^)))
I was able to get a pic last night of the most prevalent Sphinx up here. I think its a Carolina Sphinx.
Incidentally, I read somewhere some of these moths can go up to 35 mph.
