This is a visitor that we haven’t seen for a few years. This guy usually is more known for its nocturnal flights, but we were lucky to see this garden wonder whilst taking tea ‘n bikkies yesterday afternoon. We call it a “Kolibrievlinder”, and some folks call it a”Kolibriemot”... the Latin name is Macroglossum stellatarum. I know that this type of insect exists in other countries, but this is what we have here. My Bride was reading about it last night and told me that it was once on the endangered list, but now is a common sight in yards and gardens in our country. Well, common they may be, but I haven’t seen one here for donkey’s years.
Lovely Sjoerd, I saw one here on a summers day but that's a long time ago, it was interested in the penstemon flowers.
We have a variety of this moth here--and you are so right! They are nocturnal, and that is frustrating my husband no end. Taking photos in the dark is extremely difficult!
Thanks Eileen. Yes, I do indeed feel lucky. What are the chances in pure daylight. Loggie, good that you saw one...and during the daylight hours. Penstemons sound like am ideal flower for them. Mine was only interested in the phlox. I kept looking at the Mirabilis, but it did not go there. Jane, it is frustrating. I hope that he can see one in the fading hours of daylight. I would like to see one of yours. Good luck.
I have only ever seen the hummingbird moth here in Kent twice over the years, and both sightings were during the daylight hours - absolutely fascinating. Many years ago some friends of mine helped to introduce the elephant head hawk moth by bringing a box of the caterpillars in. We sometimes see those, but sightings are rare. They tend to fly in the evenings during the month of June.
Wow!!! you are really good at taking photos of those moths. These little fellas are really fast and it is very difficult to photograph them. I get them in my garden whenever I plant angled luffa, those luffas with ridges(also referred to as Chinese Okra) not the current one that I have in my garden. The moth will make their appearance in the evening from around 6pm and stay till 7pm or later because the angled luffa flowers only start blooming in the evening. They seems to know whenever I plant this luffa they will come visit. My first encounter with them was that I thought that they were humming birds and Waretrop pointed out that it was a hummingbird bee moth. Barb, haven't seen you for awhile, hope you are well and have a nice day
I remember that posting, KK. That was a long time ago now. I think it has been even further back in time since I have seen one. In fact, I believe that I have seen their larvae more frequently. I recall that I had to save one of the larvae from my murderous Bride once. Now she wouldn’t dream of squishing them.
