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Butterfly Garden

Hummingbird moth hosts

5 years ago

I had a few hummingbird moths around my garden this year and was so enchanted by them that I want to provide a host plant for them next year. I don't think I have space for a viburnum, but had been looking at diervilla "Kodiak orange" for awhile. Will they host on that variety of bush honeysuckle? Or is there a better choice for a host plant?

Featured Answer

sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

They like my brugmansia leaves. They also like tomato plants. For nectar, many fragrant night bloomers like Cestrum nocturnum, flowering tobacco, brugmansia, Moonflower vines (Ipomea alba), Indian night jasmine (nycanthes) all work.Probably scented stock and four o'clocks work too.

There are different varieties of hawk moth depending on your location.

Here is a link to the white lined variety

https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Hyles-lineata

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Comments (7)

arbordave (SE MI)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
OP is probably referring to one or more of the clearwings (Hemaris species). I assume the different varieties of bush-honeysuckle would be acceptable as host plants. I've had larvae on my Brandywine Viburnums (V. nudum). I just planted a couple Lil' Ditty Viburnums (V. cassinoides) last year, a variety that is supposed to only grow about 2' x 2'. There are other dwarf or compact viburnums if your space is limited.
wildhaven thanked arbordave (SE MI)
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wildhaven
Original Author
5 years ago
Yes, I do mean the clearwings. Sorry for not being, well, clear!

I had wanted to add the diervilla to my garden anyway, so if they'll use that it will be fine. But I may look at the dwarf viburnums too, since I have a space I can tuck a couple if they really are that tiny. The more the merrier if it means I get to see more of the moths around the garden.
Jay 6a Chicago
5 years ago
I know the clearwings also use dogbanes for host plants. Some think they are weedy, but I think they are beautiful. They are the plant family the milkweeds evolved from. They have the same toxins as milkweeds but Monarch cats won't eat them. I don't know why. I put the question to Anurag the Monarch and Milkweed professor, but haven't heard back yet. I'm sowing seeds for it. Have extras to share.
ily68
5 years ago
I've never seen one here in Miami FL.
Jay 6a Chicago
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The clearwings also use Triosteum species. They are in the honeysuckle family. The Diervilla is a good one also. I'm getting some of those myself.
arbordave (SE MI)
3 years ago
Found this hummingbird moth caterpillar yesterday (October 11) feeding on Lil' Ditty Viburnum.

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