Hummingbird Hawk Moth

Had to grab him to get him out of the polytunnel

 

We don't get those until late summer.

 

I watched an episode of Gardener's World where the husband was a moth fanatic and he had a hummingbird hawk moth captured. We don't have those in the States. They're very big !!

 

Great catch Zigs. You must have some tempting snacks for that one. we have them here humming bird moth. They look much like a smaller version if a humming bird. Hummingbird moths, primarily the White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata), are commonly seen in Oregon during summer, feeding on flowers like penstemon and honeysuckle. Known for hovering and making a buzzing sound.

 

I used to think they were hummingbirds until I learned they don’t exist where I live. They always appear when my luffa plants start to flower, and I love watching them feed on the blossoms.

 

Annie— but you do have Sphinx moths and they are similar. They are all in the Sphingidae Family.

 

You're right @Sjoerd but I had to look it up. I've never seen one.

The most impressive one I've seen is these big Luna Moths

 

Annie— those Lunas are perhaps the loveliest flying insect in North America; although the Cecropia and Polyphemus moths are also real lookers.

 

We get hummingbird moths in New York in the summer they love my butterfly bush.

 

Ta all

I had a look back, there was one in the tunnel two years ago...

 

I've tried growing Luffas, they flowered but the fruits didn't come to anything