Subject: Large dark reddish bee with two white stripes on abdomen
Location: Queens, NY
July 27, 2014 8:59 am
I saw this guy enjoying the flowers at a Home Depot in Queens, NY. It was difficult for me to get this shot as it was extremely fast moving. I almost thought it was a small hummingbird out of the corner of my eye, When I looked closer I noticed it was an insect. I can’t find anything that looks like it on Google.
I uploaded a video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkYvP9FqovQ
Signature: Jon
Dear Jon,
Even though your image is not critically sharp, there are enough features for us to determine that this Sphinx Moth in the family Sphingidae is a Nessus Sphinx, Amphion floridensis. Diurnal members of the family, which also include the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth and the Whitelined Spinx (which is actually more crepuscular than diurnal) are frequently mistaken for hummingbirds. More information on the Nessus Sphinx is available on the Sphingidae of the Americas website.
That’s exciting. It’s funny I’ve lived on the east coast all my life and I’ve never seen one. 🙂
That’s definitely it. Thanks!
In order to observe Diurnal Sphinx Moths, you would need to be near proper habitat, including flowering plants that produce nectar.