Hummingbird hawk-moth

[PorkScratching]

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:


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


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


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


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


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

[andygolfer]

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

[LondonEye]

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

DSCF1010

[gosman767]

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

[PorkScratching]

Thanks LondonEye. I think yours is an angle shades.

[LondonEye]

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.