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Hummingbird hawk-moth

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PorkScratching
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Hummingbird hawk-moth

Post by PorkScratching » Thu Sep 15, 2016 8:29 am

I've been planting pollinator friendly plants in my garden for a couple of years now, both to attract butterflies and moths, and also to help bees which are declining rapidly in numbers. One of the species I hoped to attract was the hummingbird hawk-moth, which as its name suggests, behaves very much like a hummingbird. One appeared on Sunday nectaring from a buddleja, which I was very pleased about. It stayed for 5 minutes or so, giving me a chance to take some shots:

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Hummingbird Hawk-Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) by Nick Challoner, on Flickr

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Hummingbird Hawk-Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) by Nick Challoner, on Flickr

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Hummingbird Hawk-Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) by Nick Challoner, on Flickr

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Hummingbird Hawk-Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) by Nick Challoner, on Flickr

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Hummingbird Hawk-Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) by Nick Challoner, on Flickr

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andygolfer
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Re: Hummingbird hawk-moth

Post by andygolfer » Thu Sep 15, 2016 10:54 am

Well caught Nick, very nice pics and very nice to see. I've seen them a few times and you do wknder what they are at first.
Thanks for posting them
Andy
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LondonEye
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Re: Hummingbird hawk-moth

Post by LondonEye » Fri Sep 16, 2016 1:13 pm

Great pictures, capturing a difficult subject. Thanks. Would love to see one in my garden.

Hope you don't mind if I post a puzzle picture. I recently gave a lift to this moth ?
At first, I thought it was a leaf - the camouflage is ideal. Any idea ?
Thanks.
Pete

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gosman767
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Re: Hummingbird hawk-moth

Post by gosman767 » Fri Sep 16, 2016 9:24 pm

Can't positively identify from that picture but I would be looking at Carpet Moths (there are many) HTH

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PorkScratching
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Re: Hummingbird hawk-moth

Post by PorkScratching » Fri Sep 16, 2016 9:51 pm

Thanks LondonEye. I think yours is an angle shades.

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LondonEye
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Re: Hummingbird hawk-moth

Post by LondonEye » Sat Sep 17, 2016 10:53 am

Thanks for the replies. Definitely was an Angle Shade. I needed that start point to find it on the web.
I see that it is often described as looking like a withered autumn leaf.
Tough little so and so, held on the back of the car for 2 miles across London.
cheers
Pete.

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