Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Hummingbird Moth


Just thought I would share a photo of a recent visitor in the yard. I wasn't sure what this little creature was as it darted back & forth on the Phlox plants. "Larger than a bee but smaller than a bird" is how my husband described it as he called me out into the yard. You've got to see this, I think it's a baby hummingbird. 

Well, one look at the antenna & six legs and I knew this was not a bird, but some kind of insect. I had never seen one before. It flew & hovered the same as a hummingbird and drank nectar from the flowers. It's body appeared fuzzy and the wings fluttered at a speed that made them look like a blur. 

Ok, run into the house, grab the camera, run back out and then try - and I mean try - to capture a photo of this fast moving, constantly active little creature. I took about 20 shots to get this one! After the last shot it simply flew away!

Ok, run into the house, up on the computer & start doing my research. Sure enough, it is a variation of the "Hummingbird Moth!" I haven't seen it again, but friends of mine have commented that they recently saw them in their yards for the first time also. Fascinating little creatures!



6 comments:

martinealison said...

Une très belle photo... La nature nous fait souvent de très agréable surprise... à nous de savoir l'observer...
Gros bisous

Autumn Leaves said...

Wow! I hadn't heard of this bug before either. And Nancy! Thank you!! We have flowers growing along the front of the house that I wasn't sure what they were. One of the sons of the owner (who passed away) said they were violets. I was pretty sure they were not violets unless some obscure species that I hadn't seen before. I thought they looked a bit like hydrangea flowers though not as circular and not on a big bush. The colors are just as this with fades into pink. I do believe they just might be "phlox!"

Nancy Goldman said...

This is an interesting little critter. He does look like a shorter hummingbird with extra antenna. How long was he? I've never seen anything like this out here. Now I'm going to have to google him to find out more. Thanks for the post.

Nan Johnson said...

Yes Martine, I love the surprises that nature gives us too. Makes you stop and smile!

Hi Sherry - yes phlox is a wonderful plant. Mine came with the house also (back in 1983!) and they still grow & bloom. Love them!

Hi Nancy - this little guy was about 2 inches long, very stocky in size. Here is one of the links on the moth - the one I saw resembles #2:
http://www.birds-n-garden.com/hummingbird_moths.html

Unknown said...

Don't you just love those little surprises. I've seen these here in Pennsylvania but not for several years. They certainly are speedy little creatures. Thanks for sharing

Sara said...

I saw my first hummingbird moth last year, and had the same reaction as you...I ran for my camera and then looked it up on the internet! I haven't seen one since...wonderful creatures!

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