A hummingbird moth starts out as an egg that is laid by an adult female hummingbird moth. The egg hatches into a caterpillar, which then goes through several stages of development before forming a chrysalis and emerging as an adult moth.
Eggs
The female hummingbird moth lays her eggs on the leaves of host plants that will serve as food for the caterpillars when they hatch. She may lay hundreds of tiny, spherical or oval eggs over the course of several days. The eggs are often pale green, yellow, or white in color with a smooth, glossy surface. They are attached to the leaves with a glue-like substance secreted by the female.
Hummingbird moth eggs are very small, typically measuring 0.6 to 1.3 mm in diameter. Despite their diminutive size, the eggs contain everything the developing caterpillars will need once they hatch, including stored energy in the form of fats, proteins and other nutrients.
The eggs take anywhere from 4 to 10 days to hatch. Temperature and humidity levels influence the rate of development – warmer temperatures speed things up. When ready, the tiny caterpillar chews its way out of the egg casing and immediately begins feeding on the host plant.
Caterpillar
Upon hatching, the hummingbird moth caterpillar is extremely small, often less than 5 mm long. It will go through 5 larval instars, shedding its exoskeleton and growing larger with each successive molt before reaching full maturity.
In the first few instars, the caterpillar is nearly translucent, making it harder for predators to see. The body takes on more color and patterning with each molt. Mature hummingbird moth caterpillars are about 2 inches (5 cm) long and plump in the middle. They display shades of green, yellow, brown, black, and white arranged in stripes and spots that help camouflage them among foliage.
Hummingbird moth caterpillars are voracious eaters, capable of consuming up to 10 times their body weight in plant material daily. They feed on the leaves of host plants in the families Oleaceae, Rubiaceae, Verbenaceae, and others. Favorite food sources include honeysuckle, snowberry, viburnum, lilac, and rhododendron.
The caterpillar stage lasts around 3 to 6 weeks depending on environment conditions and the availability of food. When it is fully mature, the caterpillar stops eating and searches for a sheltered spot to form its chrysalis.
Chrysalis
To transform into a moth inside the protective confines of the chrysalis, the caterpillar first spins a pad of silk on a leaf, twig, building eave, or other surface. It affixes its hind end to the pad and hangs head downward in a J-shape. Then it sheds the final larval skin to reveal the chrysalis underneath.
Hummingbird moth chrysalises are camouflaged to blend in with their surroundings. They may be mottled brown, green, gray and resemble a curled up dead leaf. A silk girdle wraps around the abdomen and attaches the chrysalis firmly to its pad. The total length is 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 – 3.8 cm).
On the inside, the caterpillar is rapidly breaking down into a soupy liquid state from which the adult moth will materialize. This metamorphosis into the moth’s body systems, wings, legs and all other adult structures takes between 7 and 21 days depending on the species.
When metamorphosis is complete, the adult moth is ready to emerge. It secretes enzymes that soften the end of the chrysalis, then pushes its way out. The empty chrysalis skin remains attached to the pad.
Adult
Once free of the chrysalis, the adult hummingbird moth pumps fluid into its crumpled wings to extend them. The wings are small relative to body size compared to other moths, allowing the hummingbird moth extremely maneuverability in flight.
The moth’s furry body assists with insulation and heat retention. Many species are marked with iridescent patches or bands of color on the wings and abdomen. Coloration ranges from dull brown to vivid greens, pinks, and yellows with contrasting stripes and spots.
Adults sip nectar through their long proboscis which allows them to reach into tubular flowers. They prefer flowers with hues of red, orange, pink or purple. Favorite nectar sources include bee balm, butterly bush, columbine, honeysuckle, lantana, lilac, petunia, phlox, sage, verbena, and zinnia.
Hummingbird moths are crepuscular, most active in the early morning and at dusk. During the day they rest concealed on vegetation. At night they are inactive. The adult lifespan averages only about 7 to 10 days for mating and reproduction.
After mating, the female lays a new batch of eggs and the lifecycle repeats.
Summary
To summarize the lifecycle:
- Adult female lays eggs on host plant leaves
- Eggs hatch into tiny caterpillars
- Caterpillars molt and grow through 5 instars
- Mature caterpillar forms a chrysalis
- Adult moth emerges from chrysalis
- Moth mates and female lays eggs to start the cycle again
The complete metamorphosis from egg to adult moth typically takes 30 to 45 days depending on weather, food supply, and other conditions. The hummingbird moth survives through several generations per year.
| Stage | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Egg | 4 to 10 days | Tiny eggs laid on host plant leaves |
| Caterpillar | 3 to 6 weeks | Larva hatches and feeds on leaves; molts and grows through 5 instars |
| Chrysalis | 7 to 21 days | Caterpillar forms protective chrysalis and metamorphoses inside |
| Adult moth | 1 to 2 weeks | Adult moth emerges with short lifespan focused on breeding and reproduction |
Interesting facts about the hummingbird moth
- Over 140 species exist worldwide
- Also known as hawk moths
- Can hover in place while feeding like hummingbirds
- Active in daylight unlike most moths
- Migrate long distances in some regions
- Unaffected by hummingbird nectar additives
- Pollinate many flower species
- Sometimes confused with hummingbirds by sight
The hummingbird moth is a fascinating insect with a rapid and dramatic lifecycle. These moths play an important ecological role as pollinators. Their metamorphosis from tiny eggs to fast-flying adults is an amazing process that occurs routinely in backyards and gardens where these moths live.
Conclusion
A hummingbird moth starts life as a tiny egg laid on a leaf by the adult female. It hatches into a hungry caterpillar that moults and grows through larval instars. When fully mature, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis and undergoes metamorphosis inside. After 1 to 3 weeks, the adult moth emerges with wings, ready to reproduce and continue the cycle. The four main stages of the hummingbird moth lifecycle are egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult moth. This fascinating insect goes through a complete metamorphosis in order to transform from a wingless crawler to an agile flying moth equipped for survival.
