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Learn about the hummingbird hawk-moth, a migrant moth that hovers over flowers like a hummingbird. Find out its identification, distribution, habitat, and how to help it in your garden.
- Page Index
- What Is A Hummingbird Moth?
- Species
- How to Recognize A Hummingbird Moth
- Which Hummingbird Moth Species Are Found in North America?
- Hummingbird Moth Life Cycle
- Hummingbird Moth Caterpillars
- Hummingbird Clearwing
- Snowberry Clearwing
- Rocky Mountain Clearwing / California Clearwing
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A hummingbird moth is one of a number of species in the sphinx moth family, Sphingidae, that resemble hummingbirds due to their size, hovering flight style and nectar-gathering behavior. Most of the moths known as hummingbird moths are members of the genus Hemaris. Some sphinx moths commonly known as hummingbird moths are not of genus Hemaris. Thes...
In total, there are 23 species of genus Hemaris (source: Catalog of Life). The sphinx moth family, Sphingidae, which contains Hemaris and other hummingbird moths, contains 1,605 species (source: Catalog of Life).
In general, hummingbird moths are easy to recognize due to their size, flying style, daylight activity and nectar-gathering behavior. (Photographs of all North American species can be seen further down the page.)
Four hummingbird moths of genus Hemarisare found in North America: 1. Hummingbird clearwing (H. thysbe) 2. Snowberry clearwing (H. diffinis) 3. Slender clearwing (H. gracilis) 4. Rocky Mountain clearwing (H. thetis) In addition, the white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) – a hummingbird moth of genus Hyles– is found in North America. In Europe, mo...
Like all butterflies and moths, a hummingbird moth goes through four developmental stages during its life: egg, larva, pupa and imago (adult). Hummingbird moths breed during the summer. The female produces pheromones to attract a male, and after mating, she finds a suitable host plant on which to lay her eggs. The eggs are usually deposited on the ...
Hummingbird moth larvae (caterpillars) are among several types of sphinx moth caterpillars known as hornwormsdue to the horn-like spike that projects from the rear the body. Hummingbird moth caterpillars should not be confused with the plant-damaging tomato hornworm or tobacco hornworm, which are the larval forms of the five-spotted hawkmoth and to...
The hummingbird clearwing is a species of hummingbird moth found in the United States and Canada. It is found in Alaska, across Canada, and throughout the eastern United States to Texas and Florida. The species typically has an olive green head and thorax, burgundy abdomen, and pale undersides, although colors vary between individuals. The wings ha...
The snowberry clearwing is named after the snowberry plants on which the caterpillar feeds. The snowberry clearwing’s coloration varies from individual to individual, but the thorax is typically gold or olive-gold, and the abdomen black with one or two yellow / gold segments near the end. The gold / black coloration of the snowberry clearwing means...
As its name suggests, the Rocky Mountain clearwing is found in the western United States. Its range stretches from southwest Canada to northwest Mexico. The species’ coloration is varied, but typically the head and thorax are olive-green and the abdomen is black with one or more adjacent yellow / gold segments.
Learn about hummingbird moths, moths that look and sound like hummingbirds. Find out how to identify them, where they live, what they eat and which species are found in North America and Europe.
Learn about the hummingbird moths, insects that look and act like hummingbirds. Find out how they evolved, what they eat, and which species you can see in different regions.
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Apr 25, 2023 · Hummingbird moths are sphinx moths that look and act like hummingbirds. They have long proboscis, clear wings, fuzzy bodies and can hover over flowers. Learn how to identify and attract these pollinators in your garden.
Jul 20, 2008 · Learn how to distinguish hummingbird moths from hummingbirds and other moths, and discover their physical characteristics, lifecycle, diet, and distribution. Find out which flowers attract these fascinating pollinators and how to identify their caterpillars and host plants.
Aug 7, 2022 · Learn the differences between hummingbird moths and hummingbirds, two similar but distinct creatures that share many characteristics. Find out how to spot their size, antennae, wings, legs, bill, rump, tail, and more.
Hyles lineata, also known as the white-lined sphinx, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. They are sometimes known as a "hummingbird moth" because of their bird-like size (2-3 inch wingspan) and flight patterns. As caterpillars, they have a wide range of color phenotypes but show consistent adult coloration.
