WI3Z

By WI3Z

Hummingbird Moth (Hemaris thysbe)

Was over Mike's house today and seen this on his butterfly bush.
Had to do a little research to find out what it was.

"Hummingbird moth" is the colloquial name for the Common Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe), one of the sphinx moth family. The reason for the nickname is obvious the first time you see one of these intriguing moths. Humingbird moths feed on the nectar of flowers in a manner similar to that of a hummingbird: hovering with the body stationary by the blossom, wings beating so fast as to be nearly invisible, flared "tail" and having a long probiscis protruding beaklike into the blossom. In flight, the wings create a soft buzzing, also like a hummingbird.

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