Quick Answer
No, a bumblebee moth and a hummingbird moth are not the same thing. They are two different species of moths that belong to separate families. Bumblebee moths belong to the family Sesiidae, while hummingbird moths belong to the family Sphingidae.
Differences Between Bumblebee Moths and Hummingbird Moths
While bumblebee moths and hummingbird moths may look similar to an untrained eye, there are several key differences between the two species:
Appearance
- Bumblebee moths are furry and plump, resembling bumblebees.
- Hummingbird moths are slender with long wings, resembling hummingbirds.
Wings
- Bumblebee moths have short, stubby wings.
- Hummingbird moths have long, narrow wings.
Antennae
- Bumblebee moths have thick, feathered antennae.
- Hummingbird moths have thin, plain antennae.
Color
- Bumblebee moths are usually solid black, orange, or yellow.
- Hummingbird moths can be multicolored with stripes and spots.
Behavior
- Bumblebee moths are diurnal and fly during the day.
- Hummingbird moths are nocturnal or crepuscular and fly at night or dawn/dusk.
Geographic Range
- Bumblebee moths are found worldwide.
- Hummingbird moths are primarily found in North and South America.
Bumblebee Moth Characteristics
Bumblebee moths belong to the family Sesiidae. There are over 1,500 species of sesiid moths, including around 130 species in North America. Some key characteristics of bumblebee moths include:
Appearance
As their name suggests, bumblebee moths resemble bumblebees in both size and appearance. They have large, furry, brightly colored bodies with black, yellow, orange, or red coloration. Their wings are small and rounded.
Wings
Bumblebee moth wings are quite small relative to their body size. Their wingspans range from 1 to 1.5 inches across. Their wings are nearly transparent, with just faint patterns or spots on them.
Antennae
Bumblebee moths have antennae that are thickened or feathered. The feathery antennae help amplify their sense of smell to locate flowers and host plants.
Behavior
These moths are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They can often be found nectaring at flowers or hovering near plants where their larvae feed. The larvae bore into roots, stems, and trunks of plants and trees.
Examples
Some common bumblebee moth species in North America include:
- Yellow bumblebee moth
- Deseret bumblebee moth
- Bumble flower moth
- Edwards’ bumblebee moth
Hummingbird Moth Characteristics
Hummingbird moths belong to the sphinx moth family Sphingidae. There are over 1,500 species of sphinx moths worldwide, with around 40 species in North America. Characteristics of hummingbird moths include:
Appearance
Hummingbird moths have long, narrow wings and slender, streamlined bodies much like hummingbirds. They are medium-sized, with wingspans ranging from 2 to 6 inches.
Wings
Their long, tapered wings allow them to hover and dart swiftly between flowers. Their wings beat at around 70 times per second.
Antennae
Hummingbird moths have long, thin antennae that are not feathery or thickened like those of bumblebee moths.
Coloration
Many hummingbird moth species have colorful patterns on their wings with stripes, spots, or iridescence. Some have mostly transparent wings. Their bodies are often brown, gray, or olive green.
Behavior
Hummingbird moths are nocturnal or crepuscular, active at dawn and dusk or night. During the day they rest hidden among foliage. At night, they feed on flower nectar.
Examples
Some common hummingbird moth species in North America include:
- White-lined sphinx
- Hummingbird clearwing
- Snowberry clearwing
- Five-spotted hawkmoth
Differences in Larvae/Caterpillars
The larvae and caterpillars of bumblebee and hummingbird moths also differ:
Bumblebee Moth Larvae
- Live underground inside roots and shoots
- Creamy white in color with brown heads
- Will pupate underground in cocoons
Hummingbird Moth Larvae
- Live openly on host plants
- Are camouflaged as twigs or have eye spots to deter predators
- Pupate on the ground in litter or soil
Conclusion
While bumblebee moths and hummingbird moths may seem similar at first glance, they are quite different in terms of their taxonomy, appearance, behavior, and habitats. Bumblebee moths are plump, furry, and plainly colored, while hummingbird moths have slender bodies and often boldly patterned wings. Bumblebee moths are active during the day while hummingbird moths come out at night. And the two species belong to entirely different moth families, with bumblebee moths in Sesiidae and hummingbird moths in Sphingidae. So while both may drink nectar from flowers in gardens, these fascinating insects are definitively not the same!
| Moth Type | Bumblebee Moth | Hummingbird Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Sesiidae | Sphingidae |
| Appearance | Furry, bumblebee-like | Slender, hummingbird-like |
| Wings | Small, rounded | Long, narrow |
| Antennae | Thick and feathery | Thin and plain |
| Coloration | Solid blacks, oranges, yellows | Multicolored with stripes and spots |
| Active Time | Day | Dawn/dusk/night |
| Range | Worldwide | Mainly Americas |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a bumblebee moth and a hummingbird moth?
The main difference is that bumblebee moths are members of the Sesiidae family while hummingbird moths belong to the Sphingidae family. They have different physical appearances, behaviors, habitats, and geographic distributions.
Why are they called hummingbird moths?
Hummingbird moths are called that because they resemble hummingbirds in size, shape, and behavior. Their long wings allow them to dart rapidly between flowers while feeding on nectar, much like hummingbirds.
How can you identify a bumblebee moth?
Bumblebee moths are identified by their large, furry, bumblebee-like bodies with black, yellow, orange, or red coloration. They have short, transparent wings and thick feathery antennae. They fly during the day and are often seen visiting flowers.
Where are bumblebee moths found?
Bumblebee moths are found worldwide across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. They live in many habitat types from gardens to forests to grasslands.
Do bumblebee moths sting?
No, bumblebee moths do not sting. Only female bees and wasps have stingers. Bumblebee moths have no stinger and are harmless to humans. The furry bodies are just for appearance.
Conclusion
Bumblebee moths and hummingbird moths may look vaguely similar to the untrained eye, but they are definitively separate species. Bumblebee moths are furry, bumbly, and diurnal while hummingbird moths are slender, swift, and nocturnal. They belong to different families, with different behaviors, appearances, ranges, and habitats. So while they may visit the same flowers, these fascinating moths are in no way the same! I hope this breakdown of their key characteristics and differences helps clarify that bumblebee moths and hummingbird moths are very different insects.
