Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Hummingbird Hawkmoth is a fast, day-flying moth that hovers in front of flowers and drinks nectar through a long mouthpart. Its established range covers Europe, Africa, and Asia, with only exceptional records in North America. In the United States, a “hummingbird moth” is usually a native clearwing moth.

Appearance

Appearance: The wingspan is about 1.6–2.2 in (40–56 mm). The forewings are gray-brown, the hindwings are orange, and the tip of the abdomen has black-and-white side markings.

Look-alikes

Hummingbird clearwingHemaris thysbe

The North American hummingbird clearwing has mostly transparent wings with reddish-brown borders. The Hummingbird Hawkmoth has fully scaled gray forewings and solid orange hindwings.

Why they get mixed upBoth are day-flying sphinx moths that hover at flowers.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: flower gardens
meadows
farmland
open woodland
Range: Its established range spans Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is not considered established in North America, though a few vagrant or transported records have been reported.
Preferred conditions: Adults favor open places with plenty of nectar-rich flowers.
Migration: It is a strong migrant across its Old World range, but North American records are exceptional rather than evidence of an established population.

Behavior

Activity: It flies by day, beats its wings rapidly, and hovers while drinking through a long .

Life cycle

Larva: Caterpillars are usually green with pale lengthwise stripes and a short tail horn.
Caterpillar food plants: Caterpillars feed mainly on bedstraws in the genus Galium and other plants in the coffee family.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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