Macroglossum stellatarum or to you and me The Humming Bird Hawk Moth. I photographed this one happily feeding on our lavender bushes at the front of the house. The lavender bushes were a mass of insect life this afternoon but this moth was a joy to watch and photograph as it hovered from flower to flower.
It is a species of Sphingidae. Its long proboscis and its hovering behaviour, accompanied by an audible humming noise, make it look remarkably like a hummingbird while feeding on flowers.
Adults are particularly fond of flowers with lots of nectar. They are reported to trap-line, i.e. return to the same flower beds at about the same time each day. I will see if that is true tomorrow.....
I just love these humming bird hawk moths. I have tried and tried to take photos of them but my supermarket camera cannot handle the speed!! Great photos. They are also all over my lavender. Diane
ReplyDeleteI love watching these little beauties as they flit from flower to flower on our little terrace. At first I didn't quite know what to make of them but as soon as I asked everyone knew what I meant. Fascinating creatures and I too have never managed to get a photo - well done!!
ReplyDeleteYou captured them brilliantly. I miss the hummingbirds we used to have in our garden in California but these guys almost made up for it.
ReplyDeleteWell done on the photo!
Wow! I saw one of these for the first time yesterday drinking nectar from a verbena bonaerensis - what a sight. I come from Argentina and miss the hummingbirds there, and I could hardly believe my eyes at this hummingbird/moth creature with the long proboscis! Your pics are great - thank you so much for sharing.
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