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Hummingbird Moths, Sphinx Moths or Hawk MothsWhat is this bug?
Location: Offshore Angola, West Africa
October 13, 2010 12:51 am
Dear Bugman,
i met this beuty in an oil field located about 75 nautical miles off the coast of Angola. It is 5-6 cm. long.
Signature: Geir
Unknown Sphinx Moth
Hi Geir,
We are going to post your letter and photo of a Sphinx Moth first and then try to identify the species. Sphinx Moths or Hawkmoths in the family Sphingidae are strong fliers and we are not surprised it was found out to sea. Perhaps if we are not successful with a species identification, our of our readers will be able to supply an answer.
Hi Daniel and Geir:
I believe your moth is the aptly named Verdant Hawkmoth (or Verdant Sphinx Moth), Euchloron megaera (Sphingidae: Macroglossinae) It ranges throughout Africa and Madagascar. Regards. Karl
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Comments 1
Interesting that this was brought up:
5 days after [readers, see date posted by "Geir"], also on a ship, in the Norwegian Star Cruise Ship, in Columbia, a five spotted or similiar hawkmoth was found on the stern, on the swim deck. Myself and some others noted “that big moth
Posted 18 Nov 2010 at 10:37 pm ¶! ]10/18/2010].
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[...] that this is the second time you have sent us an image of a Hawkmoth found at sea off of Angola. Your first specimen was eventually recognized as a Verdant Hawkmoth. Hawkmoths in the family Sphingidae are very powerful fliers, and that combined with with wind [...]
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