Incredible Hummingbird Moth in the Garden
By CarolDM
@CarolDM (203396)
Nashville, Tennessee
July 17, 2021 12:08pm CST
Amazing when I see one of these incredible Hummingbird moths in the garden. I visited with this one yesterday for awhile. Took a few videos and photos as well. They look and sound like Hummingbirds. But they do not move as quickly as the birds.
While hummingbirds live between 5-8 years, the lifespan of hummingbird moths is much shorter. The longest living moths live up to 7 months, but most live as little as 3-5 weeks. Kind of sad they have such a short life.
These moths, just like hummingbirds, have extremely strong wings and are able to seep nectar from flowers while hovering over them.
(Bottom Photo): The hummingbird clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) is by far the most commonly seen. It has an olive back, a red-brown abdomen, and pale legs.
(Top Photo) The snowberry clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) is usually yellow and black, with black legs. It also has a black line running through its eyes and down its sides.
Yesterday was the first time to see one with a green body and brown wings. I have always had the black and yellow ones. Happy to see something different once again.
Photo is mine. You can see the difference in the two if you look closely. Both are called clearwing moths.
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/hummingbird-moth-32556
19 people like this
18 responses
@snowy22315 (208952)
• United States
17 Jul 21
I did not know something like a hummingbird moth existed. yesterday I saw a very small bird outside. I was thinking initially it was a hummingbird, but then I thought can't be, cuz hummingbirds beat their wings like 400 beats per second...still don't know what that very little bird was..not a sparrow for sure..any ideas?
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (208952)
• United States
17 Jul 21
@CarolDM Possibly, but it wasn't really beating its wings very fast..It was like a minature bird though.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
17 Jul 21
@snowy22315 Could you tell what color it was?
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
17 Jul 21
Oh my goodness!! The garden should be in the National Treasure!!
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
17 Jul 21
@CarolDM Very unusual things there though Carol.
A credit to you too the way you care for it. Beautiful things are drawn to Dustins garden RIP
A credit to you too the way you care for it. Beautiful things are drawn to Dustins garden RIP1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
17 Jul 21
@RebeccasFarm I appreciate your continued support. Means s lot.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174495)
• United States
17 Jul 21
We see the ones like in your top photo here, just not very often. I've never seen one like your bottom photo.
When we first moved into our last house we had hummingbird feeders out and saw both humming birds and the hummingbird moths at them... But then cats started coming around and killed some of the hummingbirds so I took the feeders down.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174495)
• United States
18 Jul 21
@CarolDM It's hard to have small animals or birds with cats around.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
17 Jul 21
I have never seen or heard of hummingbird moths! Both species are beautiful, the top one resembles a bumble bee
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
17 Jul 21
@CarolDM This moth's coloring is almost identical:)
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
17 Jul 21
@kobesbuddy But its wings and body is different.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
18 Jul 21
I am so jealous. your backyard is a bird, butterfly, moth, hummingbird, bluebird, bunny haven. Every year more and cool pictures of your visitors.
Jealous!!!!! (and so happy for you as well)!
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
18 Jul 21
@DocAndersen Nothing like it. 
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
18 Jul 21
@CarolDM it is only a twinge, then I remember where and why the butterflies come and it is a great feeling!
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
18 Jul 21
What an interesting read. I have never heard of such a moth. Insects are fascinating but moths do not get the same followers as butterflies. Not so beautiful probably. however I am intrigued by the patterns onj the smallest moths I see. So beautifully designed.
1 person likes this
@psanasangma (7910)
• India
18 Jul 21
Wow, beautifully captured.
I think you are skilled in capturing photos.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222417)
• United States
18 Jul 21
We used to see hawk moths on our butterfly bush. They looked like the moth in the top picture.
1 person likes this
@janethwayne (5191)
• Philippines
18 Jul 21
I saw a Moth in my garden sometimes just like that.
1 person likes this
