Yes, there is a moth that resembles a hummingbird in size, shape, and behavior. This amazing moth is called the hummingbird hawk-moth and it can be found in gardens and meadows across Europe, Asia, and Africa. With its long proboscis for drinking nectar and habit of hovering in front of flowers while feeding, it does a remarkable impression of the tiny, hovering birds.
Description of the Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
The hummingbird hawk-moth has a wingspan of 1.6 to 1.8 inches (4 to 4.5 cm), similar to a hummingbird. Its body is plump and up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in length. These moths are covered in fuzzy hair or scales that are olive-brown, reddish-brown, beige, or grayish in color. The upper portions of the wings may show pinkish-red bands. The lower portions of the wings can vary from yellow to black, while the body often displays alternating bands of light and dark.
When the wings are beating rapidly, the swift moth looks uncannily like a hovering hummingbird feeding at flowers. The long, slender proboscis that unrolls from its head adds to this resemblance. The moths use this proboscis to drink nectar from flowers such as honeysuckle, thistles, and petunias. They prefer reddish or pink flowers that hummingbirds are also attracted to.
Hovering Behavior
The characteristic hovering behavior of these moths, much like hummingbirds, allows them to lick nectar while staying suspended in air. Their wings beat at an extremely fast rate of around 90 beats per second. This happens almost invisibly to our eyes, creating the illusion that the moth is floating gracefully in one place. The rapid wing movement causes the distinctive humming or whirring buzz of its name.
Geographic Range
The hummingbird hawk-moth can be found across temperate regions from Portugal and Spain across Europe to Russia and parts of central Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains in northwest Africa, Turkey, northern India, China, and Japan. It is absent from most of Scandinavia and northern Russia.
Life Cycle
Eggs
The adult female hummingbird hawk-moth lays eggs singly on the underside of leaves of host plants. The eggs are spherical and light green in color, sometimes with a tinge of pink. They gradually darken over the 3 to 9 days of development until the caterpillar hatches.
Caterpillar
The caterpillar that emerges from the egg is plump and up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length when fully grown. It is light green with pale yellow diagonal stripes outlined in white running down its body. The caterpillar blends in well camouflaged on the green leaves of host plants. It feeds mostly at night and has a voracious appetite. When not eating, the caterpillar generally rests on the underside of a leaf or along a stem.
Pupa
When the caterpillar is fully grown after several weeks, it forms a tan-colored pupa secured to a plant stem or structure with silk. The pupal stage where the transformation to moth occurs lasts approximately 3 to 4 weeks in summer temperatures.
Adult
The adult moth that emerges has a life span of just 2 to 6 weeks. During this time it focuses on feeding, fueling its hovering flight, and reproducing. The moths feed mainly on nectar from various flowers such as honeysuckle and red valerian. They also get nutrients from pollen and from moisture in wet sand and dirt. The moths hover and extend their long proboscis into each blossom when feeding.
Attraction to Red Flowers
Hummingbird hawk-moths, like hummingbirds, are highly attracted to flowers in the red color spectrum. This includes vivid red blossoms, as well as orange and bright pink flowers. Examples they frequent are fuchsias, verbenas, petunias, bee balm, zinnias, and roses. The red trumpet-shaped flowers of honeysuckles are among their top favorites, along with bright red valerian flowers.
The moths have excellent color vision focused on the red portion of the spectrum. This allows them to spot the vivid red and pink blossoms they target from a distance. Researchers have discovered the moths visit red flowers much more often than expected from their natural distribution and abundance. Their selective behavior increases access to plentiful nectar rewards from the favored flowers.
UV Patterns
The moths likely locate nectar guides on flowers using patterns visible only in ultraviolet light. Many blossoms have UV markings pointing the way to nectar sources that are invisible to humans but visible to the moths. Their excellent UV color vision helps them spot landmarks on flowers and quickly orient to the nectaries. This parallels the capacity of hummingbirds to see UV flower patterns.
| Moth | Wingspan | Length | Color | behavior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hummingbird hawk-moth | 1.6 – 1.8 inches | Up to 1.2 inches | Olive-brown, reddish-brown, beige, grayish | Hovers and feeds at flowers |
Mimicking Hummingbirds
It is unclear exactly why the hummingbird hawk-moth evolved such a remarkable resemblance to tiny hummingbirds. Mimicking other species, called Batesian mimicry, can sometimes provide survival advantages. Possible benefits include:
Avoiding Predators
The moths may gain some protection appearing like birds to predators. Their small size, rapid fluttering wings, and quick darting movements resemble hard-to-catch birds. Predators that have trouble catching hummingbirds may also have difficulty capturing the moths. This could protect them from birds, bats, or other predators.
Increased Feeding Access
Looking like hummingbirds may give the moths greater access to nectar from territorial hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are highly aggressive about feeders they claim. By mimicking them, the moths may escape aggression and gain more feeding time on flowers.
Deceptive Color Signals
The moths may also exploit sensory biases in pollinators with their hummingbird-like colors and behavior. For example, bees and other pollinators learn to associate the colors and motions of hummingbirds with unpleasant experiences like being chased from flowers. The moth’s similarities may scare other pollinators away from their favored flowers, reducing competition.
Role as Pollinators
While feeding on nectar, hummingbird hawk-moths provide an important pollination service for many flowering plants. As they move from blossom to blossom, pollen collects on their legs, head, and proboscis. This pollen is then transferred to other flowers, pollinating them in the process.
Red flowers like bee balm and columbine rely in part on the moths for pollination. Their tubular red flowers perfectly match the moths’ long proboscis. Bumblebees and other pollinators cannot effectively transfer pollen between these flowers. As major pollinators, the moths help sustain many plant populations.
Pollinator Declines
Hummingbird hawk-moths and other pollinator species have experienced population declines due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change and other pressures. Supporting pollinators is vital for sustaining productive agriculture and healthy ecosystems. Providing nectar sources by planting native flowers that attract the moths can help their populations locally. Avoiding pesticides and maintaining natural areas also supports their survival.
Enjoying Hummingbird Moths in Gardens
Hummingbird hawk-moths are a delight to observe in gardens where they feed on flower nectar. Here are some tips for attracting them:
- Plant bright red, orange, or pink flowers like bee balm, fuchsias, and trumpet vines. Tubular blossoms are best.
- Avoid pesticide use which can harm the moths and caterpillars.
- Provide shrubs and trees for shelter and resting sites. The moths rest in foliage at night and when not feeding.
- Leave some areas with native plants and avoid severely manicuring the landscape. Caterpillars rely on native host plants.
- Set up a shallow dish with wet sand or a drip fountain for the moths to get needed minerals.
- Consider cultivating host plants like bedstraw, honeysuckle, and willowherb if you want the moths to breed.
With the right habitat, you may be lucky enough to have these fascinating moths take up residence and display their charming hummingbird-like behaviors through the growing season. Take time to appreciate these important pollinators.
Conclusion
The hummingbird hawk-moth is a remarkable species that mimics tiny hummingbirds in size, form, coloration, and behavior. This fascinating adaptation allows the moth to take advantage of flower resources adapted for pollination by hummingbirds. In the process, the moths become important pollinators sustaining the diverse flowering plants they visit. Improving gardens to attract hummingbird hawk-moths supports conservation of this special species and its valuable ecological contributions. By implementing design strategies like those covered here, we can enjoy hovering moth “hummingbirds” animating our landscapes.
