Sunday, July 1, 2012

A Hummingbird Clearwing Moth

The hummingbird clearwing moth, Hemaris thysbe, has a wingspan of about two inches. Click to enlarge. 
The moth in the picture is hovering in the air while sipping nectar from a wild bergamot blossom. I spied it in Brooklyn Bridge Park this week. Initially, it is easy to mistake this fat furry reddish moth for a tiny hummingbird. Then it comes into focus and you see the antennae, the proboscis, and all the legs. In all the photos I took of this moth, it rested its front pair of legs on the blossom while drinking.

8 comments:

  1. I never saw this type of hummingbird moth before. Great photo.

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    1. This is the one I usually see in the New York and New Jersey area. Thanks!

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  2. I found one in my yard...I live in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada.

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  3. Good for you! Exciting find, isn't it? J

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  4. 2nd. one I've seen in 2 years. Glad to learn what it is. Northern NJ

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    1. It's a good sighting. One per year is a good rate, too!

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  5. I saw one in my backyard today!
    Thank you, God, for showing me more of your beauty in the earth today.
    Smithville, NJ

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