skip to main content

Hummingbird Garden

at least I had a hummingbird moth

18 years ago

I have had no sighting in weeks. Well at least a month. I just put in a new 3 tier fountain. Maybe that will help. Anyways I am getting several very large butterflies. My daycare kids love them. Today I got a hummingbird moth on my butterfly bush. The said was I called all the kids over to see. They enjoyed it at first then I relized I was the only one look at him. It sad that this moth made me so happy.

I give up I am heading for the lake to get my hummingbird fix for the weekend.

Rachelle

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

mimidi
18 years ago
Have a good time Rachelle. Sorry your hummers are being a no show.
birdgardner
18 years ago
at least the hummingbird moths show you have the right kind of plants. and they sure are cute.
Related Discussions
OT: Saw a Hummingbird Moth Tonight!
Q
Comments (4)
I had the worms last year but unfortunately I never got any of the months because the braconid wasp showed up and killed all the worms. I wouldn't worry about the worms too much becki because they are very easy to pick off by hand but make sure that you leave a few so that the braconid can show up and take care of the rest. They lay their offspring on the worms and they slowly suck out all of the worms insides, so if you see a worm with little white looking things on him leave him be because they will take care of him quickly and while they're on the host he can't move around to eat anything else (isn't nature too cool). I would keep a close eye on your tomato plants though and not let a lot of these worms get on them because they can eat a lot in a very short period of time. Oh and finally did you WS your Datura Plants? I saw them on the link that you provided and would love to have some of those next year especially if I can attract that beautiful month. Strouper Strouper
...See More
Raising Hummingbird Moth
Q
Comments (26)
Keeping the pupae out of the sun, occasionally hydrate it by bathing it in cool water will help. Like Molanic, I often keep mine in the fridge in a Glad container on paper towel and take it out once a month or so to give it a bath. It is essential to keep them somewhat hydrated in order to avoid dessication. When day and night temps are warmer in later spring/early summer, bring them outdoors in a container with air holes and some sticks they can climb onto when they emerge. They have to hang from the sticks for some time to dry and inflate their wings. This is a good time to get photos of them, too. I only get Hemaris diffinus - Snowberry Clearwing, and their favorite food in my yard is my yellow Honeysuckle. I have Japanese purpurea, but have never found them on this. Another excellent host plant to check is Virginia Creeper. Numerous sphinx moths use it as a larval host, like Eumorpha achemon (Achemon sphinx), Eumorpha pandorus (Pandora sphinx), Darapsis myron (Virginia Creeper sphinx), Amphion floridensis (Nessus sphinx), Deidamis inacriptum (Lettered sphinx), Hyles lineata (White-lined sphinx), and Specodina abbottii (Abbott's sphinx), to name a few. I have raised the first 4 named above, and perhaps one day, I'll find a few others. Good luck and have fun! Susan
...See More
Possible identity of night time hummingbird/giant moth
Q
Comments (5)
Thanks Kate and Gary. I've seen some up north & the thing I saw didn't look like some of the more common sphinx moths. However, I had no idea that there were so many species of sphinx moth. I and been looking at pictures of them until my eyes are crossing. Since there are so many of them, it's quite possible that I saw a sphinx moth. However, this flying thing was such a brilliant color, that I'm still hoping/thinking that it may have been a red-throated hummingbird with mixed up days & nights. Whatever I saw wasn't feeding, just flying in a somewhat confused manner. From my googling, the ruby-throated feeds in Florida will feed on 4 o'clocks. This flyer was very close to my many 4 o'clocks. The dogs were running around barking. Whatever it was, it seemed that they startled it. We have very bright lights in our little backyard, so I'm very sure that "my" flyer had iredescent blue/green on it. It's more fun to think that I spotted a confused hummingbird. I'll let you know if I see another.
...See More
Monarchs & hummingbird moths
Q
Comments (10)
Fantastic pictures, Kara! LOVE all your sphinx moths!! I've never seen a couple of those, and you are so lucky to have them ALL there to enjoy!! I think your "salvia" that your monarch is on is actually a russelia, if I'm seeing it right. Black calyx, long arching branches, right? It looks like russelia sarmentosa, which is also a FANTASTIC hummingbird plant. Mine froze to the ground last year, but has come back beautifully. I also noticed not as many monarchs this year as last, and I didn't find but 5 cats all summer. I had way more eastern black swallowtails this year. (Wonder if there is some correlation to the lower amount of one and the higher amount of the other?) Thanks for sharing such beautiful pictures. (You are right, the one of the clear wing is fantastic!!!) Marcia
...See More
sarahbn
18 years ago
They are I saw one today on the beebalm it was a pinkish color and smaller than an a hummingbird. Sarah
Birdlegs
18 years ago
I had one today going to town on the black & blue.
tracey_nj6
18 years ago
I had one on my Nepeta yesterday. At the same time, a male hb showed up. I had to make a decision on which to watch. Since only the slightest move scares the male away, I opted for the HB moth. At least it wasn't scared ;)
penny1947
18 years ago
I saw my first one early this moring. At first I wasn't sure what it was so I walked over to investigate and after a long close look I realized that is what it was. It was so cute. It was much smaller than my hummers.

Penny
Birdlegs
18 years ago
Here is mine. Somthing might as well enjoy the blooms.
{{gwi:993067}}
sarahbn
18 years ago
They are cute! Sarah
breenthumb
18 years ago
So thats what they are! Saw some yesterday and today. Knew they weren't butterflies, but didn't look like the usual moths I've seen either.
tracey_nj6
18 years ago
This has been a good year for HB moths for me; I had 3 today (2 clearwings and another smaller darker one). I normally see one per season (clearwings)! Again, the male HB was there, and I chose the moth. They've been going crazy on my phlox. At least they don't scare easily ;)
sarahbn
18 years ago
Very pretty close up tracy
rachelleharris
Original Author
18 years ago
Well at least I feel like contributed something to this forum! Might I point out that the hummingbird curse follows me. None this weekend. Not one. Last time all I did was hang the feeder them my Korella fuschia and they showed up. Talk about cool. This weekend nothing. I did'nt even get birds at my seed feeder. It was like there were no birds ar all.
I am cursed.
But I was happy with my moth!
Rachelle
wardw
18 years ago
It appears to be a big year for clear-wings, at least in my neck of the woods. Currently there appear to be three types visiting, mostly using the Brazilian Verbena. There is the Hummingbird Moth, one I think called Snow-berry Clearwing (black sideburns), and another pale yellowish one. There is also a fourth very large kind with a tartan back which has yet to appear. I must admit I like them almost as much as hummingbirds. They tend to visit small flowered plants like the verbena, agastache, and small flowered salvias, with the brazilian verbena the overwhelming attractant. It would be nice to have a guide to clearwings.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Hummingbird or Moth? See Why You Want Clearwings Around

By Pollination Press LLC

These fascinating moths may be helpful pollinators for your garden. Here’s how to coax them your way

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Invite Entertaining Hummingbirds Into Your Garden

By Habitat Network

Hummingbirds — unique to the Americas — zip through open landscapes seasonally or year-round. Here’s how to attract them

GARDENING GUIDES Attract Hummingbirds and Bees With These Beautiful Summer Flowers

By Annie Thornton

Roll out a welcome mat for pollinators to keep your landscape in balance and thriving

EARTH DAY Create a Container Wildlife Habitat for Hummingbirds and Butterflies

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Don’t let limited space prevent you from welcoming wildlife into your garden

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: California Fuchsia Brings Color and Hummingbirds

Set this summer perennial up in a dry and sunny spot for blazing orange or red blooms into fall

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Hummingbird Sage Lures Wildlife With Its Sweet, Fruity Fragrance

By Oakley Gardens

This native California ground cover thrives with little water on grassy slopes, under trees or in patio containers

DECORATING GUIDES The Dumbest Decorating Decisions I’ve Ever Made

Caution: Do not try these at home

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Common Boneset Helps Good Bugs Thrive

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Support bees, moths and butterflies with the nectar of this low-maintenance, versatile and tactile prairie-style plant

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Lonicera Sempervirens

By Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm

Grow this long-blooming, flashy flowering vine to cover a fence or arbor and attract hordes of hummingbirds all season long

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Great Design Plant: Paint the Summer Landscape With Desert Willow

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

If the vibrant flowers of this Southwestern native tree don't blow you away, the hummingbirds, fire resistance and low maintenance will

Sponsored

More Discussions

Do you see what I see?

1