Hemaris sp.

Every year about this time, puzzled backyard observers call the Museum wondering about "those tiny hummingbirds in my garden." Those hovering curiosities are actually day-flying moths known as hummingbird moths. (Hummingbird clearwing moth is the species pictured here.) With a wingspan of two inches, the moth hovers while sipping nectar with a long "tongue," or proboscis. Members of the family Sphingidae --the same family as tomato hornworms -- the larvae have curved tail "horns" and feed on honeysuckle. A slightly smaller relative closely resembles bumblebees.

Cool Links:

Hummingbird Imposters - great information, if a bit text-heavy.

Hemaris thysbe, the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth - Natural History information and some good photos of various life stages make this site worth a visit.

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photos: Mike Dunn