Humming Bird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)
- Wingspan 40 - 50 mm
- Not a native to the UK.
- Description: large proboscis and antenna, fan tailed thorax, orange hindwings and grey-brown fore-wings, marked with two black lateral stripes.
- Takes its name from the habit of flitting between blooms collecting nectar with its long proboscis,
with a flight pattern resembling that of the humming bird.
- Although it has occasionally been known to overwinter in southern counties, this day flying moth is largely a migrant from the continent, flying
any time from spring to October.
- A prolonged spell of warm summer weather and a southerly prevailing wind, can result in a fairly large presence
of the humming hawk moths in the UK.
Also see: http://tpittaway.tripod.com/sphinx/m_ste.htm http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=1984
