Hummingbirds? or Hummingbird Moths?

19 years ago

Last summer I thought I saw hummingbirds visitng the impatiens near my deck. This year I've got more flowers in pots on the deck and in beds nearby.

I even put a HB feeder in the flower bed. But it's still full of red juice. I've only seen wasps feeding.

I see HB like creatures visit the plants around dusk. But they have antennae and JDLR. (just don't look right)

Are these Hummingbird Moths? Or, do I need new bifocals?

I had 4 of these "silent flyers" flitting around tonight.

Did I waste some money on that HB feeder?

Pete in central Iowa

Comments (5)

paul_f
19 years ago
This is the time of the year for the past three years we have seen the hummingbird moths here in Oskaloosa. When I inquired on the internet I discovered they are native to the southwest of here in more arid climates. I guess the droughts have increased their range into Iowa. (Or they are coming along with the cougars and bobcats.) The only real hummers we have seen were here early in the Summer, and none recently.
paul_f
19 years ago
Looked again at the USGS website and discovered the Sphynx Moth is more common than I thought. The site indicated they are the moth from the hornworm caterpiller as in tomato hornworm, but I have never had a problem with the hornworm in my tomatoes. Guess I'll have to keep an eye out.
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It could be a hummingbird clearwing moth caterpillar. I used my computer to zoom in on your picture, but still couldn't tell if the spiracles/breathing holes have an orangey ring of color around them. I also couldn't see if yours has a yellow ring around its "face". There are many different types of hornworms, many very similar to each other. Of course, if yours is an early instar/stage, it might not have those characteristics, because it's too young. If I were you, I'd offer it clean viburnum leaves - no spiders on them, please :) - if you have some, and if you don't you could try honeysuckle leaves. I can't tell the size of your caterpillar by the picture, and even if I could, unless I can ID it for sure, I wouldn't know what the likely instar (stage) might be. When your caterpillar has gone through its instars and is through eating, it should spin a "weak cocoon" amongst leaves, according to my best caterpillar book, if it's a hummingbird clearwing. The moth should emerge this year sometime, just when, I don't know. Sorry I can't be more specific, but a closer-up picture would help. Sherry
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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
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Nice shot! We had alot last year, but only saw a few this year... Do you want your photos in with your message? If you do, need a photo hosting site (alot use Photobucket,Tinypic, free) but there are other sites that are free also...For PB, HIghlight the TAG line(middle), Right click COPY...PASTE into your message box here on GW (Will need two windows or tabs open depending what browser used). PREVIEW MESSAGE as usual. and you should see what you want to post before SUBMITTING...Hope I didn't confuse... juanital
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Iowagal
19 years ago
We've had those moths here for years and we enjoy watching them. They're not as friendly as the hummers but never have caused any problems. The hummingbirds are usually here in spring when the flowering crabs bloom, then they're gone and return at hosta blooming time. I had to leave the feeders out for them for a couple weeks and one would stop a couple times and move on, but now they've really started frequenting them heavily. Like you, I also had just wasps and butterflies sitting on them. Now the syrup goes down visibly every day. They must be hungry little devils too because they're even trying to get nectar out of the little clear bulbs on the lights on the bushes around my deck and they buzz around my head checking me out. This is the first time I've had enough of them around me that aren't shy and they sit in the branches of my curly willow and chirp, and they sit long enough I can get a good look at them and see some of them are browner in color, and some have bright metallic green backs. Friendly little things.
gretzky
19 years ago
Hi Pete...I've had sphinx moths at my impatiens for the past three years here in central IA. Seems like I get them later in the summer more often that not. I haven't seen them at any of my other flowers, but apparently they are attracted to impatiens.
jeanettegifford
19 years ago
i've had them on my petunias too. i've seen lots more hummers this year than ever before i've got a red suncatcher on my living room window that they come and check out. i sure love those little guys

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Hummingbirds? or Hummingbird Moths?

Comments (5)

paul_f

paul_f

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Iowagal

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