As we continue National Moth Week here’s the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe) shot Meet Your Neighbours style.
At this point of the summer we always receive a number of inquiries concerning the identity of these tiny mysterious creatures that appear to be miniature hummingbirds zooming around yards and gardens. These insects also visit the flowers that are favored by hummingbirds, quickly stopping for nectar and moving on. Their fast wings can reach 30 beats a second! We tend to think of moths as nocturnal creatures but this member of the Sphinx moth family (Sphingidae) is diurnal.
Have you spotted this mimic before?
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
