Imagine this: You’re outside on a sunny day, surrounded by native plants like milkweed and monarda, when you spot what seems to be a tiny hummingbird flitting between the flowers. But as you look closer, you realize it’s not a bird at all. It’s a hummingbird clearwing moth, one of the fascinating moth species in the family Sphingidae.
Often mistaken for a hummingbird due to its rapid wingspan and hovering ability, the hummingbird clearwing moth, along with its cousin, the snowberry clearwing moth, plays a vital role in your garden’s ecosystem. These moths, which are common in regions like Canada and England, are particularly attracted to flowers like the butterfly bush and petunia. As they dart around sipping nectar, they help pollinate your garden, just like wasps and other beneficial insects.
In this article, I’ll delve into the fascinating world of these pollinators and highlight why they are worth watching out for in your garden.
Meet the Hummingbird Moth
People initially mistake this bug — which the British call the bee hawk-moth, from the Hemaris genus of Sphinx moths — for the hummingbird. That’s because it acts very much like the bird it mimics.
This moth shimmers, sips, hovers, and darts and — yes — even hums. Males have flared tails, just like hummingbirds. Their wings beat faster than the eye can see. In fact, wing beating is where these moths outshine their namesake. Hummingbirds hover at 50 beats per second, but the hummingbird hawkmoth almost appears motionless, flying at 85 beats per second.
Of course, there are some differences that set these critters apart. While hummingbird moths don’t have a long beak, they do have a straw-like, long proboscis that unfurls like a garden hose to draw nectar from garden flowers. And, a hummingbird is a bird, while the hummingbird moth is, naturally, a moth.
What Does a Hummingbird Moth Look Like?
A hummingbird moth is a fascinating creature that’s easy to mistake for its namesake. These moths sport thick, fuzzy antennae that widen at the tips, giving them a distinctive look. Unlike birds, their bodies are covered in long hairs rather than feathers, and they have six legs like any other insect.
What really sets them apart are their wings. Clear-winged sphinx moths, such as the snowberry clearwing, develop transparent patches on their wings shortly after emerging from their cocoons. With a plump, bumblebee-like body, these moths buzz around gardens, often causing people to take a second glance.
Are Hummingbird Moths Rare?
Hummingbird moths are not rare at all — they’re common and abundant across North America and beyond. You can spot these intriguing insects in various parts of the United States and on all six continents.
Despite their widespread presence, hummingbird moths often go unnoticed. Many people don’t recognize them for what they are, as they can be mistaken for hummingbirds due to their rapid wingbeats and hovering abilities. These moths are especially active in the summer. Their favorite nectar sources are honeysuckle and red valerian. Although they’re not endangered, hummingbird moths face challenges from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change, which threaten their food sources and living conditions.
Species of Hummingbird Moths
North America has four species of these moths. Among them, you’ll likely encounter the Snowberry Clearwing hummingbird moth, also known as the Hemaris diffinis, and the Hummingbird Clearwing, also known as the Hemaris thysbe.
Adults aren’t that different from other moths and butterflies — they feast on various flower nectar. Larvae especially enjoy honeysuckle, cherries, and plums.
The Sphinx moth family is a robust group of colorful (and huge) moths. They grow up to 2 inches long, and you might mistake them for hummingbirds, with their green and red markings and tufts of hair that look a lot like feathers.
Unlike many other species of moths that mostly fly at dusk, hummingbird moths, such as white-lined sphinx moths, often feed during the day. They’re drawn to the same types of flowers that attract hummingbirds.
Mating and Reproduction
When a hummingbird moth lays eggs, you’ll notice green eggs underneath leaves. Sphinx moths begin their larvae cycle as hornworms, which are large caterpillars with a hornlike part at their rear end.
The bright-green hornworm hatches from eggs attached to plants like honeysuckle, hawthorns, viburnum, and cherry. Then, they munch around and make their way down toward the earth, where they form brown cocoons hidden underground and in piles of leaf litter.
Adult moths emerge in the spring and summer. In colder areas, a single generation occurs each year, while warmer areas can support multiple life cycles annually.
Hornworms generally don’t pose a threat to garden plants. However, their relatives, such as tomato and tobacco hornworms, can cause significant damage to crops.
Adult moths are beneficial insects. They make excellent pollinators, working during the day and night to improve your garden.
Naturally, many gardeners want to attract hummingbird moths, but they’re just not sure how to do it. I recommend planting fragrant flowers that this moth can’t wait to dip its proboscis into. Bee balm, moonflower, morning glories, jasmine, and honeysuckle are some options. It’s satisfying when birds and butterflies are attracted to your garden’s food, plants, and feeders, and now you can add one more friendly helper — the hummingbird moth.
Final Thoughts on Hummingbird Moths
Hummingbird moths are incredible pollinators, often mistaken for tiny hummingbirds due to their remarkable hovering and rapid wingbeats. Their presence in gardens and natural areas across North America not only adds a touch of wonder but also significantly benefits your plants. By visiting flowers like honeysuckle, butterfly bush, and petunia, these moths help pollinate plants and contribute to the health of your garden’s ecosystem.
Although hummingbird moths are widespread and not considered endangered, they face challenges from habitat loss and environmental changes. Making sure they have a place in your garden involves simple steps, like planting nectar-rich flowers that attract these beneficial insects. By supporting their habitat, you encourage their continued presence and enjoy the beauty and ecological benefits they bring to your garden and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hummingbird moths good for gardens?
Hummingbird moths are excellent for gardens as they are highly effective pollinators, working day and night to enhance plant health. Their presence can boost the variety of plants that thrive in your garden, thanks to their attraction to fragrant flowers.
Are hummingbird moths bad for tomatoes?
Hummingbird moths aren’t harmful to tomatoes, but their cousins, like the tomato hornworm, can hurt tomato plants by breaking them down and eating holes in the fruit.
Are hummingbird moths rare?
Hummingbird moths aren’t rare. They’re common across North America and can be found on all six continents. While they’re widespread, their presence might go unnoticed because they’re often mistaken for hummingbirds and are most active in the summer.
