These hummingbird moths? They don't exactly look like what's in the DG bug files, but that's what I think they are. They've been around for over a week and love the brugs and moonvines.... they are not shy.
Natural Pollenator
What a great picture! I love seeing these fly around.
Nice photo.
That is a hummingbird/hawk/sphinx moth. There are lots of different kinds depending on your geographical location. We have a lot of pink spotted ones here. I love them dearly but then you gotta tolerate a lot of caterpillars to get them lol. I have seen them on mandevilleas, moonflowers, datura, brugs and night blooming jasmine.
I actually had a mandevilla seedpod this year and I know it was due to all the hummingbird moths I saw on the mandevillea late last August :)
Thank you angel tree, I figured there were different kinds, Pink? pretty! They aren't quite as fast as hummingbirds, so a lot easier to capture on pic card. DD and I have fun watching and snapping pics..
Another great picture. I love seeing these beautiful moths.
They have pink ones in AZ, Kell! They almost seem like they aren't a bug! They fly inches from our heads.
Really? Oh I want some PINK ones!! I would love to see one in person.
They are just so cool and almost fairy-like. I'm really enjoying them. They come around sunset. Wish we had pink ones, here.
Hi AuntB, that's a Carolina Sphinx Moth, it used to be a Tobacco Hornworm:
http://www.booksandnature.homestead.com/moth92.html
Nice picture, I love to watch them too.
Truly awesome photo. do you know what camera, film speed etc etc etc
Flygirl- Thanks for posting that link..... Tomato worm? Turns into a beautiful sphinx moth??? Oh my! I don't remember seeing any worms this year... And to think of all the ones I killed as a child, picking them off the tomato plants for my Mom and Grandma!!!!! I'm flabber gasted!?!! I really had no idea what those ugly horned tomato worms turned into........... Grandma would knock them off and stamp them in the ground (I hated that) Please forgive me, sphinx family! Ted, I took that with a Canon S3 IS (12X optical, 4X digital zoom), at night with the flash.... I'm an amateur... I focused in pretty close and I'm patient.... until the skeeters get too mean for me. I point, let the camera focus and keep shooting till I get a few good ones. Look how long his "feeler" is!
It could be a Tomato Hornworm, they look similar as adults. When young, the Tobacco H. will have a red horn. Don't feel alone, there are many people that don't like these Hornworms. I love the moths and planted tomatoes just for them.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/210/
Another great shot!
I wouldn't like them DESTROYING tomato plants or brugs but I wouldn't mind them having a snack...... I would try to relocate them, if I ever get infested.... Thanks for the PF link, Flygirl.
I killed 2 of these last week, not knowing what they were. They absolutely stripped 2 of my daturas. So I guess no pretty moths for me, but may be my daturas will survive. Maybe.
Anne
Maybe they'll come from your neighbors garden... I know they can really riddle a plant in almost no time. I feel lucky to get the moths and not have had the worms destroying the plants.