Bug Identifier
Hummingbird Hawk-moth
Community identification

Hummingbird Hawk-moth

Macroglossum stellatarum

Order & Family
Lepidoptera: Sphingidae
Size
Wingspan of 40 to 50 mm (1.6 to 2.0 inches).
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Gardens, parks, meadows, and woodland edges; found across much of the Old World.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on the nectar of flowers like honeysuckle and Buddleia; larvae feed on plants in the Rubiaceae family, such as bedstraw.

Behavior Patterns

Diurnal (active during the day), known for hovering while feeding from flowers with a long proboscis, resembling a hummingbird. It is a migratory species and a strong flier.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans; serves as an important pollinator for various plant species within the ecosystem.