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Welcome to Backyard Wildlife Habitat.Info,
your guide to creating and maintaining a backyard wildlife habitat. |
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Your questions and comments are welcome.
Please use either the feedback or the blog link below. |
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©2002-2005
Backyard Wildlife Habitat.info ...all rights reserved |
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This page last updated |
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11/07/2007 |
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Hummingbird Moth |
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A most delightful
visitor to any backyard is the Hummingbird Moth. Often mistaken
for a hummingbird, this insect is from the family
Hemaris thysbe,
or "Common Clearwing" Wingspan is 1 1/2"-2" Wings are
initially plum-red to brownish black, but scales drop off after 1at
flight, leaving clear areas devoid of scales except along veins (thus
the name clearwing). The body is spindle-shaped, mostly
olive-green with plum-red banks across abdomen and rear rufts. The
caterpillar is yellowish green with darker green lines and reddish-brown
spots on abdomen and with yellow tail horn. These moths are
readily found in cultivated flower gardens. You may see
these moths in your garden from May-September. This moth hovers
over flowers in full sunlight, producing a buzz with its wings similar
to but often softer than that of a hummingbird. |
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Close observation will reveal antennae lacking in
hummingbirds. Also present in this moth is a proboscis for
gathering nectar. Honeysuckle is a host plant for this moth.
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