Quick answer
Hummingbird moths can grow to be quite large, with wingspans reaching 5 inches or more. The largest species is the White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata), which can have a wingspan of 2.5-5.25 inches. Other relatively large hummingbird moth species include the Five-spotted Hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata) with a wingspan of 3-4 inches, and the Carolina Sphinx (Manduca sexta) with a wingspan of 3.5-4 inches. The smallest hummingbird moths have wingspans around 1.5-2 inches. Overall, most hummingbird moth species have wingspans in the range of 2-3.5 inches.
Hummingbird moths are a group of medium to large moths with wingspans that generally range from 1.5 to over 5 inches (but more typically 2-3.5 inches). There are over 1,200 species of hummingbird moths, which are also known as sphinx moths or hawk moths. They are found worldwide, but are most diverse in the tropics.
Hummingbird moths get their name from their ability to hover in front of flowers while feeding, similar to hummingbirds. Their rapid wing beats, long proboscis for drinking nectar, and overall resemblance to hummingbirds lead to the common name.
These swift-flying moths come in a spectacular array of shapes, colors, and sizes. But just how big can the largest hummingbird moth species get? Let’s take a closer look at the range of sizes found in this family of moths to better understand the upper limits of their body and wingspans.
Largest Species
The White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata) is considered the largest species of hummingbird moth, with a wingspan ranging from 2.5 to 5.25 inches (6.5 to 13 cm). This extremely variable species has the widest size range of any hummingbird moth.
The White-lined Sphinx is found throughout much of North America as well as Central America, northern South America, and the West Indies. It is a strong flier, capable of long-distance migrations. The caterpillars feed on a variety of plants, including willow weed, apple, elm, grape, tomato, and purslane.
Some other relatively large hummingbird moth species include:
– Five-spotted Hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata) – wingspan 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm)
– Carolina Sphinx (Manduca sexta) – wingspan 3.5-4 inches (9-10 cm)
– Pandorus Sphinx (Eumorpha pandorus) – wingspan 2.8-4 inches (7-10 cm)
– Azalea Sphinx (Darapsa choerilus) – wingspan 2.5-4 inches (6.5-10 cm)
– Wild Cherry Sphinx (Sphinx drupiferarum) – wingspan 2.5-3.8 inches (6.5-9.5 cm)
– Ello Sphinx (Erinnyis ello) – wingspan 3-3.5 inches (7.5-9 cm)
So in terms of wingspan, the upper limit for hummingbird moths is around 5 inches (12-13 cm), achieved by the largest White-lined Sphinx individuals. But most other species top out between 3-4 inches in wingspan.
Smallest Species
At the other end of the spectrum, some of the smallest hummingbird moth species have wingspans as little as 1.5 inches. These tiny moths still resemble hummingbirds in miniature as they visit flowers.
Some of the smallest species include:
– Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) – wingspan 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm)
– Slender Clearwing (Hemaris gracilis) – wingspan 1.6-2 inches (4-5 cm)
– Violet-banded Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) – wingspan 1.6-2.2 inches (4-5.5 cm)
– Nessus Sphinx (Amphion floridensis) – wingspan 1.75-2.4 inches (4.5-6 cm)
– Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) – wingspan 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm)
– Rustic Sphinx (Manduca rustica) – wingspan 2-2.5 inches (5-6 cm)
Typical Size Range
While the White-lined Sphinx and other giants represent the upper limits of size, and the smallest clearwings and sphinges demonstrate the tiny extremes, most hummingbird moth species fall within a more moderate size range.
The typical wingspan for a hummingbird moth is 2-3.5 inches (5-9 cm). Some commonly encountered medium-sized species in this range include:
– Tobacco Hornworm (Manduca sexta) – wingspan 3-3.5 inches (7.5-9 cm)
– Tomato Hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata) – wingspan 3-3.5 inches (7.5-9 cm)
– Oleander Hawkmoth (Daphnis nerii) – wingspan 2.4-3.15 inches (6-8 cm)
– Bedstraw Hawkmoth (Hyles gallii) – wingspan 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm)
– Lime Hawkmoth (Mimas tiliae) – wingspan 2.4-2.8 inches (6-7 cm)
– Virginian Sphinx (Eumorpha v-notata) – wingspan 2.2-2.8 inches (5.5-7 cm)
So while the giants like the White-lined Sphinx catch our attention, the vast majority of hummingbird moth species have more modest wingspans of 2-3.5 inches. This represents the typical size range for these fascinating moths.
Body Size
In addition to wingspan, the overall body size of hummingbird moths also varies substantially depending on the species. Like with wingspan, the White-lined Sphinx represents one extreme in terms of overall body size. Its large, heavy-bodied caterpillars can reach lengths of 4 inches (10 cm).
Other species with relatively large caterpillars and/or adult bodies include the tobacco hornworm (3 inch/7.5 cm caterpillars), oleander hawk moth (2.4 inch/6 cm caterpillars), and five-spotted hawk moth (2 inch/5 cm caterpillars).
At the other end of the spectrum, some of the smallest species have caterpillars under 1 inch long and delicate adult bodies a fraction of an inch across. The body mass and volume can be 100 times less than the largest species.
In general, caterpillar lengths range from 0.5 inches to 4 inches (1.5 cm to 10 cm) across hummingbird moth species. Adult moth bodies tend to span 0.5 inches to 2 inches (1.5 cm to 5 cm) in length without the wings. Like wingspan, body size covers a wide spectrum.
Factors Influencing Size
What determines the range of sizes seen in hummingbird moths? Several factors contribute to their body and wingspans:
– **Genetics** – Size is inherited and varies across different species. Some groups like Manduca moth tend to be larger.
– **Gender** – Females are often slightly larger than males, especially in body mass, to accommodate egg production.
– **Larval diet** – Well-fed caterpillars become larger moths. Abundant food allows larvae to fully grow.
– **Temperature** – Caterpillars raised in warmer temperatures tend to become larger as adults.
– **Distribution** – Larger species tend to be found in tropical climates. Smaller species occur in temperate areas.
So both environmental conditions and genetic programming contribute to the range of hummingbird moth sizes seen worldwide.
Role of Size
Does size matter for hummingbird moths? Their large wingspans contribute to their distinctive hovering flight ability. The bigger the wingspan, the greater the surface area for beating wings to generate lift. This allows the White-lined Sphinx and other giants to hover better.
Larger body size also means heavier adult moths. This gives them more momentum and power in flight. It also allows females to carry more eggs.
However, smaller species have advantages too. They require less food, can maneuver better in small spaces, and are less conspicuous to predators.
So both large and small hummingbird moths have adapted sizes that serve their particular lifestyles and environments well. The diversity of sizes contributes to their success as a moth family.
Growth Stages
To better appreciate the maximum sizes attained by giant hummingbird moth species, it helps to understand their growth cycle:
**Eggs** – Extremely tiny at 0.2-0.3 inches (3-7 mm) across when first laid on host plants.
**Caterpillars** – Grow from tiny hatchlings to plump larvae up to 4 inches (10 cm) through several molting stages. Consume massive amounts of host plant leaves.
**Pupae** – Inside protective cocoons up to 2.5 inches (6 cm) long attached to plants. Remain dormant in this stage for 1-2 weeks.
**Adults** – Emerge with full wingspans up to 5 inches. Live for 1-2 weeks focused on reproduction. Do not eat.
So most growth occurs during the long caterpillar stage, fueling the dramatic increase to maximum size. Hummingbird moths weigh up to 2,000 times more as adults than eggs!
Wingspan vs. Body Length Comparison
Wingspan is defined as the full distance from wingtip to wingtip on one side. Body length is measured from head to abdomen.
For most hummingbird moth species, the wingspan is approximately 2-3 times the body length. However, in the largest species, the wingspan may be over 4 times the body length.
For example:
– A White-lined Sphinx with a 5 inch wingspan may have a body length around 1.25 inches.
– A Snowberry Clearwing with a 2 inch wingspan may have a body length of 0.8 inches.
In general, the larger the species, the greater the ratio of wingspan to body length. Longer wings provide more surface area for flight in heavier moths.
Sexual Dimorphism in Size
There are some slight differences in size between male and female hummingbird moths. Here are some examples:
– **Wingspan** – Females often have slightly longer wingspans than males, but the difference is usually less than 0.25 inches.
– **Body** – Females tend to have plumper, heavier abdomens to accommodate eggs. This may add 10-30% more body mass.
– **Antennae** – Male antennae are often bushier with more branching to detect female pheromones.
But despite these modest differences, males and females look remarkably similar in most hummingbird moth species. Wing color patterns are usually identical. Thus size is not a reliable characteristic for identifying moth gender.
Changes After Emergence
When a hummingbird moth first emerges from its pupa, its wings are small, shriveled, and wet. The wings appear stubby and stunted.
But over the next several hours, hemolymph (insect blood) is pumped into the wing veins, causing them to expand and lengthen. The wings may double or triple in surface area.
By a day after emergence, the moth’s wings will have reached their full adult size and be ready for flight. So brand new moths will have much smaller wingspans than they will just a day later.
Unusual Characteristics of Giant Species
A few key features stand out in the largest hummingbird moth species:
– Robust, heavily-built bodies with thick furry surfaces
– Very broad wings for their length, with rounded tips
– Fairly slow, lumbering flight for their size
– Lower wingbeat frequency compared to smaller species
– Highly audible deeper pitched wing hum when flying
– Large head and eyes that enhance vision
– Very long coiled proboscis for deep flowers
– Thick scaled antennae for sensing over distance
Significance of Maximum Size
What does the upper limit of hummingbird moth size and wingspan tell us about this moth family?
– It demonstrates the wide range of ecological niches they have adapted to fill – from delicate to powerhouse.
– It reveals the great diversity of forms and lifestyles that have evolved.
– It shows their flexibility in utilizing many different host plants and food sources.
– It hints at the specificity of flower-moth relationships needed to support giants.
– It provides insight into the aerodynamics needed for hovering flight.
– It impresses us with nature’s dramatic innovations over time.
So while most are an unassuming medium size, the giants of the hummingbird moth clan tell us much about the group as a whole. They showcase the family’s versatility and flexibility.
Conclusion
Hummingbird moths span a remarkable spectrum from tiny to titanic. While many species have modest proportions, the giants like the White-lined Sphinx demonstrate just how large hummingbird moths can get, rivaling small birds in size.
Wingspans approaching 5 inches allow these hefty moths to hover at flowers like helicopters. Meanwhile, the smallest species have wingspans under 2 inches and delicate bodies to match.
Factors like genetics, diet, climate and more contribute to this diversity of scale. Different sizes suit different lifestyles and ecological roles.
All together, the range of hummingbird moth sizes reveals the beauty and adaptability of these special insects. Their variety of forms has allowed them to thrive across many environments as key pollinators. So we should appreciate both the petite and the massive members of this unique moth group.
| Species | Wingspan Range |
|---|---|
| White-lined Sphinx | 2.5-5.25 inches |
| Five-spotted Hawkmoth | 3-4 inches |
| Carolina Sphinx | 3.5-4 inches |
| Pandorus Sphinx | 2.8-4 inches |
| Species | Wingspan Range |
|---|---|
| Snowberry Clearwing | 1.5-2 inches |
| Slender Clearwing | 1.6-2 inches |
| Violet-banded Clearwing | 1.6-2.2 inches |
| Nessus Sphinx | 1.75-2.4 inches |
| Species | Wingspan Range |
|---|---|
| Tobacco Hornworm | 3-3.5 inches |
| Tomato Hornworm | 3-3.5 inches |
| Oleander Hawkmoth | 2.4-3.15 inches |
| Bedstraw Hawkmoth | 2-3 inches |
| Lime Hawkmoth | 2.4-2.8 inches |
| Virginian Sphinx | 2.2-2.8 inches |
