Hummingbird Moth

Hummingbird moths are day-flying members of the hawk moth family (Sphingidae) that mimic hummingbirds in both appearance and behavior. They hover in front of flowers, beating their wings rapidly and sipping nectar through a long proboscis, complete with an audible hum.

The name applies to several species, including the hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) of Eurasia and the clearwing moths of the genus Hemaris in North America and Eurasia. Many have stout, furry bodies and, in the clearwings, patches where the wing scales fall away to leave transparent windows.

Unlike most moths, hummingbird moths are active in daylight and are frequent, welcome visitors to flower gardens. Their swift, hovering flight and quick darting between blooms reinforce the resemblance to their namesake birds.

Look for these features:

• Plump, furry body about the size of a large bee, with a wingspan around 4-6 cm
• Hovering flight in front of flowers, with rapidly beating wings
• A long proboscis that uncoils to reach into blossoms
• Clearwing species have transparent patches on the wings; others are olive, brown, or golden
• A fan-like tuft at the tip of the abdomen

Lookalikes include large bees and actual hummingbirds, but the coiled proboscis and moth antennae identify it as an insect.

Hummingbird moths are found across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa depending on species. They frequent flower-rich gardens, meadows, forest edges, and roadsides. Adults are active by day, especially in warm, sunny weather during spring and summer, and some species migrate seasonally.

Adult hummingbird moths feed on nectar while hovering, uncoiling a long proboscis to reach deep into flowers, and are effective pollinators of many plants. Their rapid wingbeats let them hold position in the air like hummingbirds. Caterpillars feed on the foliage of specific host plants, and the moths serve as both pollinators and prey within their ecosystems.

Hummingbird moths undergo complete metamorphosis. Females lay small round eggs on host plants such as honeysuckle, hawthorn, or bedstraw. The caterpillars, often green with a small horn at the rear typical of hawk moth larvae, feed and grow through several molts. They then pupate, usually in leaf litter or just under the soil, and emerge as adults. Depending on climate, one to several generations occur per year, and some overwinter as pupae.