What IS a Hummingbird Moth? 8 Fascinating Facts

What is a Hummingbird Moth?

Hummingbird moths may look like small birds, but they are giant insects and members of the Sphinx moth family. They are also called sphinx moths and hawk mothers.

The Sphinx moth family includes our arch-enemies—the tobacco and tomato hornworm. Their larvae look similar—large green worms with a pointy horn at their hind end. Not to worry, though. Hummingbird moths do NOT damage your precious tomatoes! 

In fact, hummingbird moths are great for pollinators and add beauty to the garden.

8 Fascinating Facts About Hummingbird Moths

1. Unlike most moths, hummingbird moths are active during the day rather than at night.
2. They can fly backward and in the rain.
3. They can flap their wings at up to 80 beats per second.
4. Other names for them are hummingbird hawk moth and bee moth. 
5. They are smaller than most hummingbirds but larger than most moths.
6. Other moths are silent fliers, but the rapid movement of a hummingbird moth’s wings makes a buzzing noise, so they actually do hum!
7. Though some have black and yellow stripes similar to those of a bumblebee, they do not sting or bite. They are not dangerous to people at all. 
8. They are a gardener’s friend. Their long proboscis inadvertently pollinates many flowers, carrying bits of pollen from flower to flower.

How Do They Differ from Hummingbirds?

Hummingbird moths have 3 pairs of tiny legs, while a hummingbird has just one pair.

1. Instead of a stiff beak, hummingbird moths have a flexible, hollow, tongue-like tube called a proboscis that can be curled up when not used—the same as a butterfly’s. 
2. They have 2 small antennae on the top of their heads. Hummingbirds have none.
3. Hummingbird moths have 4 wings instead of 2.
4. They are about half the size of a hummingbird.
5. While they enjoy the same types of flowers that hummingbirds do, nectar is their only food source. Hummingbirds also eat small insects for protein.
6. Hummingbirds are attracted to red flowers, but color doesn’t matter to the hummingbird moths. They go by shape, preferring tubular blossoms with nectar at the base. According to Master Gardener Susan Mahr at University of Wisconsin, some flowers they frequent include cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), columbine, evening primrose, honeysuckle, hosta, Jimson weed (Datura meteloides), lilac, penstemon, and petunia.
7. Hummingbird moths are short-lived, surviving up to 7 months, but some only last as little as 3 to 5 weeks. Hummingbirds can live 5 to 8 years. 
8. Fuzzy hairs cover most of their body instead of feathers.

Are Hummingbird Moths Rare?

No, they can be found throughout North America and in other countries. There are four types of hummingbird moths in North America, all of which are in the Sphinx moth family.

1. Hummingbird clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) has red, yellow, and green fuzzy hairs, making it look like a hummingbird. Its wings have transparent windows where there are no scales, and they are bordered in brown. Its wingspan is 1 ½ to 2 ¼ inches, and it always has pale-colored legs. It has a wide range from Alaska, across Canada, and down to Florida. It is most commonly found east of the Mississippi.

   

2. Snowberry clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) is golden yellow with yellow and black stripes, which make it resemble a bumblebee. This disguise keeps it safe from predators. Its transparent wings are bordered in black, and its wingspan is 1 ¼ - 2 inches. It always has black legs. It is commonly found east of the continental divide.
   

3. The white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) is most active in the late afternoon until dusk but will also fly at night. True to their name, they have white bands on their wings. Its wingspan is 2 ½ - 3 ¾ inches. Even though its wings are longer, it still hovers when feeding rather than landing on the blossom. They have been found throughout the US and southern Canada.

   

4. Slender clearwing (Hemaris gracilis) looks much the same as the hummingbird clearwing but always has reddish legs. Its wingspan is 1 ½ to 1 ¾ inches. Less commonly, it is found on the East Coast, from Virginia to Maine, and around the Great Lakes.

How to Attract Hummingbird Moths

This past week, I saw a hummingbird moth in our hosta flowers and, based on the black borders on its wings, identified it as a snowberry clearing! He was not concerned by my standing there at all. He came right up to the blossoms I was next to and climbed inside. 

Be sure to include their tubular-shaped favorites when planning your flower garden. Of all the flowers mentioned above, petunias, morning glories, bee balm, hosta flowers, and columbines are favorites.

It also made me wonder what larval food I have growing in my yard for them. We must include plants that provide larval food for their caterpillars, too! The adult moths feed on many flowers, but the caterpillar larvae seek honeysuckle, dogbane, hawthorn, cherries, and plums.

As well as plants, create a water source and skip the pesticides. Then sit back and watch these small pollinators visiting your lovely flowers all spring, summer, and fall!