Hemaris thysbe
The Hummingbird Moth,
unlike most moths, is seen on clear, sunny days. Many people
do confuse it with hummingbirds because of its coloration
and how it moves. Hummingbird Moths grow up
to two inches long. They have an olive-green body with red
bands across their abdomen.
Tufts of hairs from the end of the abdomen look a lot like
feathers. The wings of this moth are mostly clear, sometimes
with some red near the body. Hummingbird Moths live in
fields,
gardens, and forest edges. W. Tracy
Parnell After mating, female
moths lay eggs on host
plants (food for caterpillars), such as honeysuckle,
hawthorns, viburnum, and Black Cherry. The caterpillars
which hatch from eggs are yellowish-green with darker green
lines and reddish spots on the sides. They also have a
yellow tail horn. When caterpillars are
fully grown, they climb down the host plant and into the
soil where they make a coccoon
and become a pupa
(resting stage). If it is early in the
season, the adult moths will hatch in a few weeks. If it is
in the Fall, the moths won't come out until the following
Spring. Adult Hummingbird Moths
feed on nectar
from many different flowers, just like hummingbirds. Some of
their favorites include: Japanese Honeysuckle, Red Clover,
Highbush Blueberry, thistles, wild roses, and
blackberries. Hummingbird Moths use a
long, thin, needle-like mouthpart called a proboscis
to eat. The proboscis stays coiled up like a garden hose
until it is time to use it. When the moth approaches a
flower, it uncoils its proboscis and dips it deep into the
flower where the nectar is. Predators
of Hummingbird Moths include birds, mantids, spiders, bats,
and other moth- and caterpillar-eaters, although they
probably get some protection from looking so much like
hummingbirds. Copyright, Bill Oehkle http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/hthysbe.htm
