HUMMINGBIRD HAWK MOTH

Click here for the 'Seeds of Eaden' seed shop

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:   Arthropoda
Class:      Insecta
Order:      Lepidoptera
Family:     Sphingidae
Genus:     Macroglossum

The Hummingbird hawk moth (Macroglossum Stellatarum) is a welcome visitor to the UK during the summer, flying in from Europe and North Africa. 

As the name suggests, this moth resembles a humming bird as it hovers to feed from flowers with its long, curved proboscis. Its distinctive 'humming bird' sound of its wings will give its presence away. The wings beat so rapidly that they produce an audible hum and can be seen only as a haze. 

Hummingbird hawk moths feed on nectar from flowering plants such as honeysuckle and buddleia.  Unusually for a moth it is active in daylight as well as after dark.

The moths have grey-brown forewings and orange hindwings and a large adult wingspan that can be up to 5 cm diameter. The body is brown and there are obvious white spots on the sides of  the black tail. 

The caterpillars are green with white speckles and two stripes along its back, and a yellow tipped horn on its tail. 

How to make an insect house

Hummingbird hawk moth