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Published: 2007-09-10 05:29:22 +0000 UTC; Views: 3229; Favourites: 95; Downloads: 0
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Description I'm not sure about this insect, maybe a kind of butterfly or bee, or moth...
If any one know, please update me

This I took with 70-200 F4 lens, not macro lens, cause they quite far, I just crop this image

Thanks for your comment

Thank you and for information about this insect.

This is Hummingbird Hawk Moth -- Macroglossum stellatarum

The moth is named after its resemblance to a hummingbird, with its rapid hovering motion as it feeds on the nectar of flowers.

Physical Description
The larvae/caterpillars grow to about 60mm in length. They are very colourful with a green or reddish-brown body with white dots and dark, white and yellow stripes, black spiracles and a blue, yellow-tipped horn. The sexes are similar in appearance. The moth itself is often mistaken for a hummingbird as it hovers above the flowers. The moths have a brown, white-spotted abdomen, brown forewings and orange hindwings. They have a wingspan of 40-50 mm. The wings beat so fast that they produce an audible hum.

Distribution
Hummingbird hawk-moths are abundant in Mediterranean countries, Central Asia and Japan. In the British Isles they can be spotted every year in the summer from June to September and have been recorded as far north as the Orkney and Shetland Islands.

Habitat
They inhabit lowland areas.

Diet
The larvae feed on bedstraw (Galium). The adult moths are day-flyers and feed on the nectar of flowers such as orchids and petunias. They feed by hovering in front of a flower, probing it repeatedly using the proboscis.

Behaviour
Hummingbird hawk-moths are day fliers, preferring bright sunlight, but may also be seen at dawn and dusk and rarely at night. They are strongly attracted to flowers with a plentiful supply of nectar such as petunias, honeysuckle and buddleia. Studies have noted that have a remarkable memory, and return to the same flowerbeds at the same time everyday. They cannot survive the winter months and so migrate to southern parts of Europe.

Reproduction
They breed regularly in the UK. Moths locate their mates by scent, with sight playing a small part. Hummingbird hawk-moths have been seen to demonstrate aerial courtship chases, with the male and female engaging in rapid pursuits low over the ground, or spiral upwards together.

Conservation status
They are not listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Notes
They are an immigrant species, which sometimes occur in large numbers. A large influx occurred in summer 2000, when moths were observed in parks and gardens all over Britain.

Source: [link]
Related content
Comments: 36

Forestina-Fotos [2018-05-02 16:56:05 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful shot!

I had one of these come into the garden last year! I had never seen one before and was in awe! It was so intriguing, like something that should have been in an exotic tropical place. I do hope I see one again!

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crownvetchponylover9 [2014-05-15 18:08:54 +0000 UTC]

i think it's a hummingbird moth

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Crusteew [2010-07-16 12:36:26 +0000 UTC]

Wow! So good!

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plainordinary1 [2009-12-09 15:32:42 +0000 UTC]

Hey I'm familiar with this moth..I've been confusing them with some species of small hummingbirds all my life, until now...I find them very interesting & even tried to catch some whenever they come hovering over my aunt's flowers when I was small..to me they're very mysterious & special creatures. Btw I live in north peninsular Malaysia, Perlis
Thanks for this info..it's very valuable to me

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tripping-daisy [2009-05-25 10:38:29 +0000 UTC]

Just amazing!

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cycoze [2008-04-01 21:34:35 +0000 UTC]

Excellent capture !

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TruemarkPhotography [2007-10-18 17:43:56 +0000 UTC]

Spectacular capture! Well done!

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vids In reply to TruemarkPhotography [2007-10-19 01:28:21 +0000 UTC]

thank you

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mooode1 [2007-09-18 06:44:54 +0000 UTC]

wooow

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ReisLie [2007-09-15 19:08:48 +0000 UTC]

emanggg manisssss dehhh..cantikkksss!!...

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SilivrenTinu [2007-09-11 19:18:04 +0000 UTC]

I just watched this creature at my flowers today and I hoped you would know what it is. Wonderful shot!

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vids In reply to SilivrenTinu [2007-09-12 01:18:29 +0000 UTC]

yup this is hawk moth I would like to see him again this weekend, hope have this opportunity

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SilivrenTinu In reply to vids [2007-09-12 19:02:28 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, I hope you'll see him again!

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myszoreksja [2007-09-11 17:42:51 +0000 UTC]

Great shot and beautiful colours!

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vids In reply to myszoreksja [2007-09-12 01:19:48 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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Rhyagelle [2007-09-11 15:32:07 +0000 UTC]

Great focus

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vids In reply to Rhyagelle [2007-09-12 01:31:01 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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Makargina [2007-09-11 15:18:56 +0000 UTC]

it's Macroglossum stellatarum

kind of night butterfly. Beautiful creature

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vids In reply to Makargina [2007-09-12 02:07:29 +0000 UTC]

You are correct. this is Hummingbird Hawk Moth -- Macroglossum stellatarum.
I will put the info in the comments. Thank you

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vids In reply to Makargina [2007-09-12 01:20:40 +0000 UTC]

I will find out more about this, and will update the information, now I'm in Beijing, some wikipedia is not allowed here

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Makargina In reply to vids [2007-09-12 07:28:27 +0000 UTC]

I,m glad to help

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Dark-Raptor [2007-09-11 12:40:58 +0000 UTC]

Looks like specie we have got here, in Poland - Macroglossum stellatarum. Very nice picture.

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vids In reply to Dark-Raptor [2007-09-11 13:13:34 +0000 UTC]

thank you, please see another photos of this cute creature

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d3c0d3r [2007-09-10 23:43:45 +0000 UTC]

very cool. thanks for sharing!

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Cindka [2007-09-10 19:44:03 +0000 UTC]

Really original and beautiful

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vids In reply to Cindka [2007-09-11 02:48:06 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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WhiteRaven4 [2007-09-10 13:34:45 +0000 UTC]

Oh, wow! I've seen one of those in my backyard before! It always let me get really close, but then fluttered away It's seems like a very playful creature, and friendly too ^^ When I first saw it, I thought it was a humingbird, and I think that's what they're trying to disguise themselves as, that or a hawk, like BamaWorks said Wonderful picture of the little darling too ^^ You really caught it's awesomeness LOL

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vids In reply to WhiteRaven4 [2007-09-11 02:47:49 +0000 UTC]

thank you, yup really want to see them playing around the flower, I hope I got this in my small garden, I took this when travel to Safari World, I would like to spend more time with this creature...

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WhiteRaven4 In reply to vids [2007-09-11 02:53:45 +0000 UTC]

What is it about the little thing that is so irrasistable? When I met mine, it was fluttering around the purple flowers in my backyard, and it was just so capitvating, I couldn't walk away XD

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vids In reply to WhiteRaven4 [2007-09-11 03:07:09 +0000 UTC]

maybe that is hoverfly? I have in my macro gallery, click here..[link]
number 233 and 234

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WhiteRaven4 In reply to vids [2007-09-11 13:05:42 +0000 UTC]

BamaWorKs said, "That is a Sphingidae, also known as 'hawk moth', "sphinx moths", and "hornworms". " It sounds like she knows exactly what it is XP
Nice gallery If I wasn't terrified of bees I'd fav some of them But yeah...bees scare the crud out of me...

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BamaWorKs [2007-09-10 11:38:08 +0000 UTC]

That is a Sphingidae, also known as 'hawk moth', "sphinx moths", and "hornworms". More info here: [link] Otherwise, another fantastic shot!

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vids In reply to BamaWorKs [2007-09-11 02:46:37 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a lot for your information

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nicolecarina [2007-09-10 08:51:52 +0000 UTC]

wonderful

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obeyyourmaster [2007-09-10 05:30:43 +0000 UTC]

I'm not sure what it is either. But you captured a perfect picture!

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vids In reply to obeyyourmaster [2007-09-10 05:31:59 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, the problem quite far, if I got closer, they run away

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