Hummingbird Hawkmoth – Macroglossum stellatarum
A fascinating moth that flies in the daytime, often seen visiting gardens where it hovers over flowers and uses its long proboscis to extract nectar.
Flight time: June to August, but in this region it may be seen on warm sunny days in almost every month of the year.
Description: Forewings are dark brown and the hindwings mainly orange with a dark base and margin. The thorax is grey-brown and furry.
At rest the moths display the typical aerodynamic shape of the hawkmoths. They usually choose a resting place that offers them camouflage, such as dry foliage or a stone wall, which probably accounts for their ability to suddenly disappear from view.
Habitat: Favours all sorts of open, grassy and flowery areas and gardens.
Distribution : Widespread & common throughout
I have these in my gardens and love to watch them.
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They are fascinating aren’t they? You are lucky to have them in your garden.
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The hummingbird hawk moth is a regular visitor to the garden in Alicante, Spain, where the single moth feeds on Jasmine and plumbago plants.
I have excellent photographs and video of the hummingbird hawk moth in action.
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How lovely, they are brilliant to watch aren’t they? And so well camouflaged when they stop to rest!
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