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HUMMING BEE HAWK MOTH
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
I have been on holiday in the Ardeche, France, and made some interesting pictures (I think).
This one shows a kind of bee. It never sits but keeps on flying will sticking its roll tongue in the flower.
Thanks to Grzegorz it got a name:
Latin name: Macroglossum stellatarum
Size: Wingspan approximately 65mms.
Distribution: Found throughout the U.K. (even on the Shetland Islands) but the majority are seen in southern England.
Months seen: Can be seen as early as March. It's possible some hibernate in Britain during the winter, but the majority fly in from Mediterranean countries between May and September.
Food: Nectar. The green caterpillars (seen between June and September) feed on bedstraws.
Habitat: Gardens and parks.
Special features: This day flying moth can often be seen in gardens feeding on geraniums, honeysuckle, petunias or verbena. It is equipped with a long tongue which it uses to drink nectar.
Like a humming bird they hover in front of flowers as they feed. Their wings flap so fast they appear to be on fire. In fact this is the orange coloured hind-wings, showing up as a blur. The moth also makes a throbbing noise as it hovers.
a close up you can see here and here. |
red45, Phoki, NitzanCK, phlr has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- red45
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(30243) - [2005-07-29 3:55]
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Hi Hendrik!
You're lucky man, this creature is very hard to capture. I like composition of your picture, I almost feel the wind.
By the way - it's a moth, maybe one of Hawk Moths, often mistaken with hummingberd ;-)
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- sway
(1224)
- [2005-07-29 3:59]
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Great picture. This insect has a very long tongue!
Nice composition and colours.
:)
Very well captured, Hendrik!
Good details and DOF, excellent composition!
I'm sorry, but I don't like the frame- too heavy.
Thank you for sharing, great work!
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- Phoki
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 48 W: 0 N: 21]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-s.gif)
(284) - [2005-07-29 7:48]
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Great capture of this elusive guy!I've made a few tries, but so far nothing close to your photo!Congratulations!
Kiril
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- phlr
(2814)
- [2005-07-31 11:29]
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Nice shot!
Very dificult to take pictures of this moth!
But you did it!
Hi Hendrik,
Fantastic photo - I was watching these creatures tonight in my garden & was wondering what they were called as it's the first time that I've seen them, could have watched them for hours & no camera at hand when needed!
Well done & thanks!
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 158 W: 27 N: 67]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(882)
love the pic...funny thing how I found this site. I did google on humming bee because me and a co-worker saw one of these creatures in my store today. we were astonished by it. This one was all orange and floated in the air like a humming bird. It was amazing. At first we thought it was a large bee or wasp. Funny cause I work in an auto parts store. It was scaring everyone, I just let him sit there and float beside me while I was working. I do love the pic though.
thanks Lisa