Hummingbird Hawkmoth
Scientific Name: Macroglossum stellatarum
Order & Family: Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Sphingidae
Size: Wingspan typically ranges from 40 to 45 mm (1.6 to 1.8 inches).
Natural Habitat
Gardens, meadows, woodlands, and urban parks across Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia.
Diet & Feeding
Adults feed on flower nectar using a long proboscis; larvae feed on plants like Galium (bedstraws).
Behavior Patterns
Diurnal (active during the day), known for hovering while feeding like a hummingbird with very rapid wingbeats and high maneuverability.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits the ecosystem as a significant pollinator for many flowering plants; poses no risk to humans.
Identified on: 5/27/2026