What is a Hummingbird Moth ?

I thought I saw a small hummingbird in my lilac bush, someone said it is a hummingbird moth. I never heard of a hummingbird moth.

What is a Hummingbird Moth ?
http://www.birds-n-garden.com/hummingbir...





Hummingbird Moths - Sphinx or Hawk Moths


1. White-lined Sphinx Hummingbird Moths





White-lined Sphinx Hummingbird Moth image © 2005 BIRDS-N-GARDEN.COM





I have featured three types of hummingbird moths from my backyard. These moths are often mistaken for hummingbirds. Click on the images to learn more about these interesting moths.





Jump to specific information





1. How to Rear These Moths


2. Help for Identifying Moths


Hummingbirds do not have striped backs. They do not usually appear to be brown. They will not let you approach them to get a closer look. If you believe you saw a brown, striped hummingbird, you probably saw the perfect hummingbird look-a-like. Hummingbird moths have disappointed many people who believed that they were seeing their first hummingbird.





Although you may have to wait longer to see a hummingbird, hummingbird moths are very interesting in their own right. Unlike most moths, they will fly during daylight. You can see many of them at any time of day but evening is the most productive time to watch for hummingbird moths.





2. Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moths





Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth image © 2005 BIRDS-N-GARDEN.COM


The Snowberry Clearwing is very similar to other larger clearwing hummingbird moths. The Snowberry is small and resembles a bumblebee more than a hummingbird but the larger clearwing moths look so much like a hummingbird that it can take a second look for an experienced bird watcher.





3. Tersa Sphinx Hummingbird Moths





Tersa Sphinx Hummingbird Moth image © 2005 BIRDS-N-GARDEN.COM


These moths were found and reared in Travis County in Austin, Texas. There are more hummingbird moth species than the three featured here.





Get a certificate for free caterpillars when you purchase a Butterfly Habitat





Look inside these individual pages to see the caterpillars, pupa and eggs of these fascinating moths. The female will deposit eggs on the appropriate leaves to feed the larval stage caterpillar. It is possible to collect these eggs, rear the caterpillars, protect the pupa and watch new hummingbird moths emerge. All this usually takes only a few weeks.





If these caterpillars are destroying your beautiful garden, I recommend collecting the caterpillars. Place them in an appropriate container where you can selectively supply them with leaves from their favorite plant. I usually go purchase a few of the exact same plant to feed the caterpillars. That way I do not have to defoliate my garden.








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How to rear these hummingbird moth caterpillars:





don't keep them in a cold room or too cool a house - use the porch


you will need to feed them from whatever larval plant you find them on


any container will do but I like a transparent container


you probably don't need a screen or ventilated lid until they pupate and you only need a lid if you want a chance to see the emerging moths before they fly away


add leaves from larval plant daily for the caterpillars


remove spent leaves or withered ones and keep fresh ones available


damp paper towels will provide moisture - keep them moist - remove them when they become soiled


clean away waste daily - these caterpillars produce a lot of waste (called frass)


once they are maturing, add several inches of dirt to container


these caterpillars pupate underground


obviously, stop adding leaves once they dig in


check the box daily but don't expect moths for two weeks or so


After releasing them, my moths have usually not flown away for 12 hours or so but the time can vary. I take a few photographs and then let the moths crawl out of the container and onto the leaves of their larval plants.





If you have more questions, please use the links below which will open a new window and take you to another web site.





Rearing Butterflies and Moths





Rearing Caterpillars








Can I help you identify your moths? Probably not unless they are one of these hummingbird moths that I'm personally familiar with. Here is a link to the USGS comprehensive site. You can click on your state to find a list of all moths.











Go to USGS website: Moths of North America




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