Insect

Hummingbird Hawk-moth

Moth by nature, hummingbird by choice.

Who am I?

Behold, the Hummingbird Hawk-moth! This aerial acrobat might fool you with its hummingbird impression, but it's pure, unadulterated moth magic. Forget your average, nocturnal, light-bulb-obsessed moth; this one's a daytime nectar ninja. It zips from blossom to blossom, its long proboscis unfurling like a party favor, slurping up the sweet stuff. It's not picky, mind you, but has a particular fondness for the Wild Marjoram and the Wild Poppy, proving even the most sophisticated palates appreciate a good, honest wildflower.

While it's busy fueling up, it plays a crucial role in pollination, inadvertently helping plants like Yarrow and Selfheal spread their progeny. Of course, life isn't all nectar and roses (or poppies, in this case). The Hummingbird Hawk-moth has its own challenges. It must evade the watchful eyes of the Swift, who sees it as a protein-rich snack. And let's not forget the Buff-tailed Bumblebee, who, while a fellow nectar enthusiast, isn't quite as aerobatic and resents the Hawk-moth's superior skills. It's a tough world out there for a moth trying to make a living, even if it does look like a hummingbird.

Expert Take

Is it a hummingbird? No, it’s a hummingbird hawk-moth!

Often mistaken for hummingbirds, like hummingbirds (and unlike most moths) they feed during the day, hovering in front of flowers and using their long tongues to sip nectar. Also, their compact furry bodies, fan-shaped tail, and orange-grey coloration are quite birdlike, and more specifically, hummingbird-like – their fast wingbeats hum audibly and blur like feathers…

A swarm of them crossing the English Channel towards England on the day of the D-Day landings in 1944 confirmed their status as good omens. In May and June, they migrate to Britain from North Africa and southern Europe in order to breed. With milder winters associated with climate change, some individuals now overwinter.

Their caterpillars feed on species of Gallium plants, including cleavers (sticky weed) and meadow plant lady’s bedstraw. Gallium is part of the coffee family, and elsewhere in the world, caterpillars of other hawk-moth species feed on coffee tree leaves.

Learn more from Miles on WorldWild
Miles Irving headshot
Miles Irving

Foraging Expert

40-45mm

Wingspan size

31+

Miles flown (migration)

1500

Flowers visited (per day)

Find out more

I hover near flowers in this vertical meadow, using my long proboscis to sip nectar while helping pollinate blossoms.