The hummingbird hawk moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) is a species of moth found across much of Europe, Asia, and Africa. With its long proboscis and ability to hover while feeding on nectar, it bears a striking resemblance to a hummingbird, despite actually being an insect. This has led to it also being known as the hummingbird moth or bee hawk moth.
The hummingbird hawk moth is widespread and not considered endangered globally. However, there are concerns about potential declines in certain parts of its range due to habitat loss and pesticide use. Understanding the conservation status of this fascinating species requires looking at both its global population and local trends across its wide geographic distribution.
Global population and distribution of the hummingbird hawk moth
The hummingbird hawk moth can be found across a vast swath of the Old World, from the United Kingdom and Portugal in western Europe eastward across Europe, Africa, and Asia to Japan. It is considered native to an area spanning three continents and dozens of countries.
Throughout this broad range, the hummingbird hawk moth is typically common and not considered threatened. For example, in Spain it is described as one of the most abundant and widely distributed moth species. In the United Kingdom, trends from citizen science programs show stable or increasing numbers over recent decades. Seeing a hummingbird hawk moth is still considered a treat by lepidopterists, but generally not an exceedingly rare event, at least in areas where it is native or well-established.
Global population data specific to the hummingbird hawk moth is limited, as it has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. However, its widespread distribution and common status across much of its range suggest that globally, the hummingbird hawk moth is in no danger of extinction in the near future barring a catastrophic event.
Local population trends
Taking a broader global view can obscure local population trends, which may show declines even if the species as a whole remains widespread and numerous. For the hummingbird hawk moth, closer examination reveals some concerning trends in parts of its range, particularly Western Europe.
In the United Kingdom, one of strongholds of hummingbird hawk moth populations, citizen science programs show peak counts declining by an estimated 53% from 1968 to 2017. Long-term monitoring in the Netherlands found a stable or increasing population from the 1950s until a peak in the late 1990s, followed by declines of roughly 30% through 2017. Data from Belgium and Switzerland show similar peak numbers in the late 1990s and subsequent declines continuing to today.
Researchers have investigated a variety of potential causes for the declines seen in Western Europe. One major factor seems to be the intensification of agriculture, which has reduced habitat and wildflowers that provide nectar for the moths. Increased pesticide use may also play a role poisoning the moths or their food sources. Some researchers also point to climate change shifting suitable habitat northwards across Europe.
Whatever the causes, the data show downward trends in hummingbird hawk moth numbers in regions representing a significant portion of its western range. While still relatively common compared to rare or endangered species, localized declines of 50% or more over a few decades meet accepted thresholds for vulnerable or near threatened status.
Is the hummingbird hawk moth endangered in the UK?
In the United Kingdom, where long-running moth monitoring programs exist, the picture for the hummingbird hawk moth raises some concerns but does not indicate an emergency.
As mentioned earlier, citizen science records show a 53% decline in peak counts of hummingbird hawk moths from 1968 to 2017. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan lists the hummingbird hawk moth as a species of conservation concern based on this evidence of population decline. However, it still remains widespread and regular across England and some parts of Wales and Scotland. Naturalists and lepidopterists may see fewer individual hummingbird hawk moths today compared to past decades, but most would not consider sightings rare events.
The hummingbird hawk moth is not considered threatened or endangered in the UK. While showing significant declines, the species remains relatively widespread and its conservation status does not meet the thresholds for any of the formal extinction risk categories used by the IUCN. The UK’s priority status indicates action should be taken to reverse declines, but does not confer any legal protections. At this point the species is likely still secure from extinction as a resident species in the UK for the foreseeable future.
Status in EU countries on the European mainland
In the European Union, the hummingbird hawk moth is listed as a protected species under the EU Habitats Directive. This reflects its declines and threatened status in some EU countries, though it remains common and secure in others. Each EU member state assesses the moth’s national conservation status individually.
In Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and other western European countries, the hummingbird hawk moth is designated as Vulnerable or Near Threatened based on declines in recent decades. However, it is still considered widespread and relatively common compared to scarcer species. Further east, the moth remains secure and widespread in countries like Poland, where no special conservation designations have been assigned.
No European countries currently consider the hummingbird hawk moth endangered or at immediate risk of extinction. But many advocate habitat protection and pesticide reduction programs to halt declines that could eventually lead to endangered status if continued unchecked.
Is the hummingbird hawk moth endangered in the United States?
The story is quite different for the hummingbird hawk moth in the United States. Here, the species is at the edge of its natural range, occurring as a rare vagrant but not an established resident. A few individual hummingbird hawk moths, likely blown across the Atlantic from Europe or Africa, are spotted in the US every year, mainly on the east coast.
These represent isolated vagrant individuals, not evidence of any established breeding populations. Lack of milkweed host plants and suitable climate likely prevent the hummingbird hawk moth from thriving in the US. There are no indications of any population trends in this rare vagrant species. At most, a handful of individual moths may be spotted in the US annually.
In the United States, the hummingbird hawk moth has no special conservation status. It is an exceptionally rare species, but with no meaningful populations in North America, it is not considered endangered or threatened in the US.
Is the hummingbird hawk moth endangered in Australia?
A related story plays out in Australia. Here again the hummingbird hawk moth is a vagrant visitor from overseas, not an established resident species. Individuals periodically reach Australia after being blown across the Indian Ocean from southeast Asia.
As in North America, the hummingbird hawk moth cannot maintain permanent breeding colonies in Australia. Isolated vagrant moths make up the only presence of this species on the continent. There are no population trends to speak of and noformal conservation status. With only occasional transient visitors ever recorded, the hummingbird hawk moth is not considered endangered in Australia.
Conservation overview
In summary, while the hummingbird hawk moth demonstrates some concerning population declines in Western Europe, globally it remains widespread and common. This species is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, the lowest level of extinction risk.
Localized declines and threat classifications have prompted conservation actions by European countries under the EU Habitats Directive. Habitat protection and pesticide restrictions can help restore moth populations. But the species as a whole is in no danger of extinction in the near future.
In the UK and countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands, the hummingbird hawk moth is deemed a conservation priority with vulnerable status. But populations still persist across wide areas, if at reduced levels. Only isolated vagrant individuals, not breeding populations, exist in North America and Australia.
While heightened conservation efforts may be needed in parts of its range, the hummingbird hawk moth remains globally secure. It faces local threats but is not currently considered endangered or at immediate risk of extinction anywhere across its wide distribution.
Threats and causes of decline
Understanding why hummingbird hawk moth populations have declined in places like the UK can help inform conservation actions. Researchers have looked into various possible threats facing these moths.
Habitat loss
Loss of natural habitat reduces nectar sources and host plants for the hummingbird hawk moth. Converting meadows and other flower-rich habitat to intensive agriculture is linked to moth population declines in Europe. Urbanization also eliminates habitat. Providing natural habitat corridors with native wildflowers can help counter this threat.
Pesticide use
Increased pesticide use in agricultural areas may poison adult moths or their caterpillar larvae. Neonicotinoid pesticides have been specifically implicated in reducing moth numbers. Reducing non-essential pesticide applications could potentially benefit hummingbird hawk moth populations.
Climate change
Climate warming may allow the hummingbird hawk moth to expand its range further north in Europe, while decreasing suitability in southern areas. Conservation planning should factor in shifting suitable habitat under warming conditions.
Disease
Little is known about potential diseases affecting hummingbird hawk moth populations. One hypothesis is that warmer weather may increase disease prevalence from pathogens like viruses, negatively impacting moths.
Invasive species
Non-native plants invading native habitat can reduce food sources for moth larvae and adults. Invasive insects may also compete with hummingbird hawk moth caterpillars.
Researchers continue working to understand all factors in play, but habitat loss from human land use change appears a primary driver of declines where they are occurring for this species.
Conservation actions
Various conservation actions can potentially help stabilize or restore hummingbird hawk moth populations where they are in decline.
Habitat protection and restoration
Preserving natural meadows and other habitat provides the food sources these moths need. Planting native wildflower strips creates new habitat corridors in agricultural areas. Eliminating invasive plant species also helps restore native vegetation.
Reduced pesticide use
Reducing or eliminating non-essential uses of neonicotinoid and other pesticides in areas where the moths live may limit exposure to toxins. Organic farming methods can achieve pest control without heavy use of insecticides toxic to pollinators and other invertebrates.
Monitoring and research
Continued monitoring programs tracking moth numbers can detect population trends. Research on causes of decline and effectiveness of conservation measures helps target appropriate actions.
Legal protections
Listing the hummingbird hawk moth under the EU Habitats Directive requires member states to establish protected habitat areas.National threatened species laws also make the moth a consideration during planning processes in some European countries.
Captive breeding
Captive breeding and release programs could potentially supplement wild populations. However, habitat protection is likely a higher priority for effectively conservation.
A combination of habitat management, pesticide restrictions, and long-term monitoring represents the most feasible conservation approach for the hummingbird hawk moth in areas where it is declining locally.
Interesting facts about the hummingbird hawk moth
Beyond its conservation status, the hummingbird hawk moth is simply a fascinating species. Here are a few interesting facts about this charismatic insect:
- The hummingbird hawk moth is the only day-flying moth in northern Europe, active even in direct sunshine.
- Its long proboscis allows it to feed on deep, tubular flowers like honeysuckle and petunias.
- Individuals sometimes migrate long distances, with vagrants recorded as far as Iceland and Mongolia.
- Hummingbird hawk moths beat their wings up to 70 times per second, allowing them to precisely hover in place.
- Unusual among moths, they have excellent color vision and visual learning ability.
- Caterpillars camouflage themselves as bird droppings, helping avoid predators.
- Adults may seek salts and amino acids by drinking human sweat when short on nectar food sources.
With its speed, mobilty, and diurnal habits, the hummingbird hawk moth behaves very unlike most moths. Misidentification as an actual hummingbird is not uncommon! These unique traits contribute to the appeal of this widespread but locally threatened species.
Conclusion
The hummingbird hawk moth remains globally secure and widespread across much of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Local population declines in Western Europe have prompted conservation actions in some countries, but have not placed the species in imminent danger of extinction.
Habitat protection, reduced pesticide use, and ongoing monitoring represent priorities in parts of the hummingbird hawk moth’s range. However globally, it does not face the risks associated with endangered species. While case-specific conservation is warranted, the hummingbird hawk moth as a whole appears in little danger of disappearance from the world’s flora and fauna at this time.