Moth That Looks Like a Hummingbird: Nature’s Amazing Disguise

Hummingbird moths are fascinating creatures that often leave people in awe as they resemble hummingbirds with their feeding habits and appearance. These intriguing insects belong to the family Sphingidae, and among their species, the most commonly observed is the white-lined sphinx moth, Hyles lineata, as well as the hummingbird clearwing, Hemaris thysbe.

These moths display a unique characteristic of feeding on nectar with their long proboscis while hovering over flowers, just like hummingbirds. The hummingbird clearwing has a greenish-yellow or tan “furry” body with a reddish-brown band across the abdomen and a wingspan of 1½ to 2¼ inches, while the white-lined sphinx moth is a stout-bodied, brown moth with a broad white stripe running diagonally to the outer tip of each front wing and a wingspan of 2.5 to 3.5 inches.

Hummingbird Moth Overview

Moth or Bird?

Hummingbird moths, as their name suggests, bear a striking resemblance to hummingbirds. These fascinating creatures are moths belonging to the Lepidoptera order, but their hovering behavior, rapid wing movement, and feeding habits are similar to those of hummingbirds.

• Moth: Belongs to the Lepidoptera order
• Hummingbird: Belongs to the bird family Trochilidae

Species of Hummingbird Moths

There are several species of hummingbird moths, with some of the most common being the Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) and the White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata). These moths are characterized by their unique appearance and behaviors.

Hummingbird Clearwing:

• Furry greenish-yellow or tan body
• Wide reddish-brown band across the abdomen
• Wingspan of 1½ to 2¼ inches
• Active during the day

White-lined Sphinx Moth:

• Stout-bodied and furry brown
• Six white stripes on the body
• Wingspan of 2½ to 3½ inches
• Pink coloration on hind wings visible when hovering

Comparison table:

Physical Characteristics

Body Structure

The hummingbird moth, also known as the white-lined sphinx moth, has a stout and furry brown body. This large moth is characterized by six white stripes crossing its body. The body structure and size often lead to confusion with actual hummingbirds.

Wings and Flight

• Wingspan: 2½ to 3½ inches
• Wing shape: Triangular forewings and shorter hindwings
• Wing color: Dark olive brown with a broad tan band

The wings of hummingbird moths are covered in scales, but many species lose scales and become clearwing hummingbird moths. Their swift and hovering flight patterns resemble those of hummingbirds, which is the reason behind their name.

Proboscis and Feeding

• Proboscis: The hummingbird moth has a long, straw-like proboscis.
• Feeding habits: They feed on nectar from flowers while hovering mid-air, just like hummingbirds.

Behavior and Habitat

Feeding Preferences and Pollination

Hummingbird moths, found in North America, are daytime creatures that exhibit unique hovering behavior while feeding on nectar from flowers. These moths have a preference for plants, such as Monarda flowers, that provide easy access to nectar through their long proboscis.

• Pros:
  • Efficient pollinators
  • Daytime activity
  • Adaptive feeding method
• Cons:
  • Limited to flowers with long tubular structures

Comparison Table: Hummingbird Moth vs. Actual Hummingbird

Migratory Patterns

These unique moths do not have defined migratory patterns. Instead, they adapt to various environments depending on factors like food availability and weather. The species can be found in habitats such as meadows, gardens, and woodland edges across North America.

• Found in diverse environments
• Adaptable to changing habitats
• No specific migratory pattern

Life Cycle

Egg and Larval Stages

The life cycle of a hummingbird moth begins with eggs laid on host plants like honeysuckle and viburnum.

• Caterpillar: After hatching, the larvae (caterpillars) feed on foliage, metamorphosing over several weeks.
• Snowberry clearwing: It is lighter-colored than others in the Sphingidae family, resembling a bumblebee.
• Tobacco hornworm: Known for damaging tomato plants, it later becomes a hawk moth.

Pupal and Adult Stages

Upon reaching maturity, the larvae form pupae to undergo transformation into adult moths.

• Cocoon: They form a protective outer shell.
• Hawk moths/sphinx moths: Many hummingbird moths belong to this group, known for their distinct “hummingbird-like” behavior.
• White-lined sphinx moth: A common hummingbird moth with distinctive colors and markings.
• Hummingbird clearwing: They have a green or tan body with a reddish-brown band on their abdomen and a wingspan of 1½ to 2¼ inches.

Host Plants

Hummingbird moths and their larvae rely on specific plants for nourishment and reproduction.

Examples of host plants:

• Honeysuckle
• Viburnum
• Snowberry
• Tomato plants (for tobacco hornworm)

Comparison Table: Hawk Moths vs. Hummingbird Clearwing

In conclusion, the life cycle of hummingbird moths includes their tiny beginnings as eggs, gradual development into caterpillars, and eventual emergence as adult moths. Throughout their lives, they rely on specific host plants for sustenance and reproduction.

Species of Sphingidae Family

White-Lined Sphinx Moth

The White-Lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata) is a large moth with a stout furry brown body and distinctive wing patterns. It has a wingspan of 2½ to 3½ inches.

Features of the White-Lined Sphinx Moth:

• Stout-bodied with a furry brown body
• Six white stripes crossing the body
• Long, narrow, triangular forewings
• Broad tan band and series of white lines on wings

The caterpillars of this species feed on various plants, contributing to their growth and development.

Clearwing Moth Species

Among the Clearwing Moth species, the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe) is known for its resemblance to hummingbirds. It has a greenish-yellow or tan body with a reddish-brown band across the abdomen.

Features of the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth:

• Furry greenish-yellow or tan body
• Reddish-brown band across the abdomen
• Wingspan of 1½ to 2¼ inches
• Proboscis for feeding on nectar

Caterpillars of this species usually feed on honeysuckle plants.

Comparison table of White-Lined Sphinx Moth and Hummingbird Clearwing Moth:

Interactions and Impact

Pollination

Hummingbird moths are essential pollinators as they visit various flowers during the day, hovering over them to feed on nectar using their long proboscis. They share similarities with hummingbirds, displaying a plump body and a hovering behavior while they feed.

Example: Some common flowers that hummingbird moths visit include:

• Monarda
• Lantana
• Honeysuckle

Predators

Predators of hummingbird moths include:

• Birds: These are a significant threat to moths as they can easily catch them while they’re hovering over flowers.
• Spiders: Moths may fall prey to certain spiders when they fly near their webs.

Threats

The tomato hornworm is a notable threat to certain plants, as they are a type of hornworm caterpillar that can cause damage when in abundance. They transform into the five-spotted hawkmoth upon reaching maturity.

Comparison Table:

The hummingbird moth may resemble butterflies or bee moths due to their similar size and feeding patterns. However, they have distinct characteristics, such as a “furry” body, that make them distinguishable from other pollinators.

Remember, understanding the interactions and the impact of these various species in meadows helps promote the conservation of these essential pollinators and the ecosystems they inhabit.

Additional Information

Distribution and Range

Hummingbird moths can be found in various regions, including:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• Canada
• Mexico

There are 23 species of Hummingbird moths, with some notable examples being:

• Hemaris gracilis
• Hemaris thetis
• Snowberry clearwing moths

These moths are active during the day and are known for their barrel-shaped bodies and clearwing characteristics.

Gardening Tips

For backyard gardeners interested in attracting hummingbird moths, consider planting the following:

• Dogbane
• Viburnums
• Columbines

They also enjoy:

• Night-blooming flowers
• Evening primrose
• Long-necked flowers
• Moon gardens

These moths, like bumblebees and hummingbird hawk moths, play an essential role in the ecosystem as pollinators. By incorporating plants they love in your garden, you can enjoy their unique beauty while also promoting biodiversity.

Please note that it’s essential to maintain a balanced ecosystem in your garden, so avoid making exaggerated or false claims about the positive impacts of attracting these moths.

In conclusion, by understanding the distribution and range of hummingbird moths and providing gardening tips, you can create a haven for these remarkable creatures while also supporting a healthy ecosystem.