I was first introduced to Hummingbird Moths on a trip to Europe about 10 years ago. We were visiting a botanical garden in Linz, Austria. They were zipping back and forth among the flowers. At first we thought that Europe had a different variety of hummingbird.
Can you spot the Hummingbird Moth on the Star Cluster plant?
I found it difficult to capture them as they flit from here to there
in the blink of an eye.
They like feeding from trumpet shaped flowers at dusk.
In Colorado I used to have dozens swarming around my Monarda flowers.
Here's a picture of a moth that a friend posted on Facebook.
When you stop the motion, you can see that they are quite a different
shape than a hummingbird.
And this shot from the Internet (Mary Carlson) really shows how
amazingly similar to hummingbirds they are.
If you have ever had a vegetable garden....
you have probably met this moth's caterpillar form!
The hummingbird moth comes from the Tobacco Hornworm caterpillar,
the plague of all folks who grow tomatoes!
I have seen plenty of the caterpillar and moth. They are interesting creatures.
ReplyDeleteDespite the havoc they can wreck on my tomatoes, I do kinda like both stages. I used to take some of the caterpillars and tomato plant cuttings to school and keep them in a gallon jar. The kids wee in awe of how much the caterpillars pooped!
DeleteAt the risk of opening a can of worms, I have not seen one tomato horn worm in my garden all summer (!). I've had quite a few hawk moths though. Hmmm... Love those interesting moths and I've learned I can plant a sacrificial tomato plant to move the caterpillars to to save the rest. Great catches!
ReplyDeleteCan of worms - hahaha! I love the idea of a sacrificial plant. I've always struggled with "dispatching" them.
DeleteBeautiful photos. ❤️
ReplyDeleteYes, the Internet has so much that we can find, when our iPhone cameras just don't cut the mustard! I do try to give credit where credit is due.
DeleteUsually I see one or two every Summer not so this year , not many butterflies either.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I wonder what's going on?!
DeleteI've never seen one, but they are incredibly cool!
ReplyDeleteI kinda like them as well!
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