Is this the smallest hummingbird -- or the biggest insect?
:)
Experts, please
It also likes petunias.
And here it is -- coming right at you.
So -- what is it?
: )
It's a Hummingbird Moth. Aren't they cool? :)
I never saw one prior to this one.
How wide is their range?
This one was real bold -- ignoring me all the time I was trying to take his/her photo. It just kept skipping from blossom to blossom.
Thanks
Be well
: )
Here's a great site to go, so that you can see what's in your area, the range, etc., www.butterfliesandmoths.org Yours would be a clearwing hummingbird moth.
They are bold, aren't they? I know I have about 10 flitting about in my small butterfly garden at this time, and they pay absolutely no attention to me when I'm out there taking pictures, watering, etc. My daughter even held one last year. I'll have to dig up that picture when I get home from work.
flyboyFL - Definitely one of the species of Hummingbird moths. They love petunias, pentas, and have seen them on my evening blooming 4 O'Clock blooms! I believe they are very common in many states. Probably found all over Florida! Congrats on seeing them in your garden! They do sound like and hover like the little hummingbirds! :-)
This message was edited Aug 2, 2007 5:16 PM
beckygardener~
Thanks -- but I am (and it is) still up here in Princeton, New Jersey.
and, indiana_lily~
Thanks for the link.
Be well
: )
Oops, sorry flyboyFL! I didn't realize you were still up north. I wonder if you get them in Longboat Key? Quite a few folks here are in Florida and we see them pretty frequently. They like pentas, Golden Dewdrop, and many early evening blooming flowers.
Well, I just looked at butterflies&moths.org, and it shows that clearwing hummingbird moths are found in New Jersey.
They absolutely love my Agastache. After that it's the butterfly bushes and lantana. Oh, and they will try to run hummingbirds and butterflies away!
beckygardener~
I am certainly going to look. I don't have any red growing -- except some of the hibiscus. I saw my first hummigbord last year -- and we have a sufficiency of Gulf Fritillaries. I'll report back.
indiana_lily~
I spotted that, too. I just never noted them, close-up, before.
They are weirdos.
Be well
: )
I have also heard it called hawk moth.
Hi. I'm in SE PA and we have hundreds this year. I've been in this house for ten years now and while they are always around in the summer, there are many more this year than any of the previous nine.
They love my butterfly bushes, petunias, verbena, cleome, and mint. They are little boldies and not skittish at all.
I like them!
Jan
Mine was going frantic, between the verbena and the petunia. He/she never really lit. It was challenging trying to focus in.
Haven't seen it yet today -- maybe it's too hot.
: )
we see them here in NY too, I've had 2 different types - but can't tell you which - they were just different size and color
Wow, flyboyFL!!! I just got back from vacation, and was planning on posting my own thread about this very moth... we were leaving the place we were staying at this morning, when this very same little guy started buzzing around a hanging basket of calibracoa. I identified it with the book I was carrying with me as a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe).
Here is a good link... http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/hthysbe.htm
And here are a couple of the photos I took today...
A close-up...
And a little different angle...
Karen
Hi Karen,
Great pictures. I especially love the last one you posted. Here is one I took last week that really shows why they are called "clearwing" HB moths.
FlyboyFL...hoped you wouldn't mind if a expat native South Floridian posted a pic in your thread?
:o)
Jan
Great shots Flyboy and Karen. The look like a huge bee from a distance
Hi,, can I add a picture,,? thanks Flyboy for starting the thread.
Elaine
Has anyone raised these? I've searched the net for larvae to buy but haven't come across any. Any leads out there? I've bought them several fine bushes for their dining pleasure.:-)
Thanks,
Maggie
Karen~, Jan~ and Elaine:
Thank you. Thank you. You are all great photographers. These little devils were the hardest things to catch. They just move so quickly.
There is so much magic out there -- if we just take the time to look.
Be well -- y'all.
Brad
: )
I know what you mean Brad! When I was taking pictures of the one I saw, I was trying to get it to land on my hand while it sipped nectar from the flowers.... it was not afraid of me, but it was too busy, busy, busy to stop!
If you wear them down enough, like my daughter did last year, you can get them to land in your hand....
WOW!
: )
VA_Wild_Rose~
Great link. Thanks.
: )
Karen and Brad - NICE pics!!
Thanks
And VA_~
That photo with the header: And a little different angle... -- is fantastic.
You must be a greater photographer or are lucky enough to have a super-duper camera. What are you using?
: )
I am using a Canon PowerShot A630... just got it this summer. I really like it, and I don't even know how to use half the setting yet! LOL! I love doing macro work. The photo "different angle..." was just a lucky shot I think, but thanks! I wish it had been more centered... but they are indeed frisky little buggers!
Lucky, indeed.
It is a GREAT shot.
: )
Thanks!
8*)
I 'need' a new camera... I think the 100+ heat made mine slow down..LOL ---the hummingbird moth..not the camera... sheesh,, going to bed now
Elaine
This message was edited Aug 6, 2007 11:50 PM
VA.... I have that same camera. I can't get a shot like that 'up close'. I know nothing about macro, as you can probably tell.
The other day, I scotch taped a magnifing glass to my camera to get a closer shot.
Good thing the object wasn't moving. lol : )
I'm not use to a camera like this. So far,.......... it's way over my head. : )
~Lucy
Lucy...
Let me see if I can help you this evening, when I get home (if I don't forget!) with the camera functions. Like I said, I still don't know everything it can do, but I do know how to use the macro.
Karen
Wow....Lucy. My kind of girl......where there's a will, there's a way! lol
Jan
Thanks V_W_R. I'm excited. : )
Tangiegirl,.....you gotta do, what you gotta do. lol : )
~Lucy
Lucy,
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=183&modelid=14108
Click on above link - enter macro in question field - then click on "how do I use macro mode" in the new screen & user friendly directions will come up for you - complete w/diagram. Good Luck!
Now see??? Chantell is showing me up!!! LOL! She knows where to go! (You GO girl!)
And all I was gonna do was get the diagram out of my book and show her!
;*)
Lucy... were you able to figure it out? I can't find my camera manual to show you what I was going to show you...
Let me know if Chantell's link helps!
Karen