I was watching a hummingbird in the blossoming phlox and right after it flew away, I spotted the hummingbird clearwing. It isn’t a bird but a moth in the Sphingidae family. While it is not a big pollinator, it is the primary pollinator for some orchid species.
Hummingbird Clearwing
At first glance, this moth is often mistaken as a hummingbird as it hovers above the flowers gathering nectar. The hummingbird clearwing is a moth of the Sphingidae (hawkmoth) family which have a wingspan around two inches, if you can glimpse the moving clear wings as it darts from flower to flower, like this milkweed blossom.
Hummingbird Clearwing Feeding
While yesterday’s zinnias are pretty, the hummingbirds and insects might like other varieties of flowers better for nectar. The hummingbird clearwing, a moth in the Sphingidae family, liked these blue flowers as it was zipping around the flowers yesterday. The hummingbird clearwing can vary in color from the olive green and burgundy on its back.
Hummingbird Clearwing
When I was taking pictures of the purple bee balm, a hummingbird clearwing moth appeared briefly. They move rather quickly so it is hard to get a shot of them. I have lots of shots with the flower only as they darted away as I pressed the button.
The Hummingbird Clearwing, is a moth of the Sphingidae family but you first might think it is a hummingbird by its flight patterns as it hovers, sipping nectar from the flowers a few seconds before finding a new flower.
Hummingbird Clearwing
