Wednesday, September 4, 2013

The Hummingbird Moth

This was a first for me, if not for blog friends,
I would not have known what this was!
 
The Common Clearwing Hummingbird Moth
is considerably smaller than our native
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird,
only about 1-1/2 inch long versus 3 inch long.
 
It's plump body tapers at either end to form a spindle shape.
When the adult moth emerges from its crysalis,
its wings are covered with reddish brown scales.
After the initial flight, the scales fall off the central part,
leaving transparent centers that give them their name Clearwing.
 
The body color is variable, but they typically have an olive green back,
with a wide, reddish brown band.
 
Nothing "Common" about this guy,
have you ever seen a Hummingbird Moth?
Would you know what you are looking at!
A first for me,
I was super excited to see and photograh this special creature!
 

29 comments:

Adrienne said...

Wow! Great shots - and not easy, I'd imagine. Nice of him/her to visit purple flowers...makes for a lovely back ground! I would not have known what this was at all, and don't think I've ever seen one. Very interesting!

Giga said...

Ten owad jest śliczny. U nas rzadko można je zobaczyć. Pozdrawiam.
This insect is beautiful. You rarely see them. Yours.

IanH said...

Great capture! Definitely not easy to photograph!

MICKAN from QUEENS FIELD¸.•°`♥✿⊱╮ said...

Feel like I want to hold it in my hand ... hehehe:)

You make a nice serie of photo of a wonderful moth!

Anonymous said...

Great shots, Debbie!

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

I have never seen one. You got some great shots! Those clear areas of the wings are stunning. Thank you for sharing your find!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI Debbie Great shots and no I have never heard nor saw one of these. It is fantastic the way you can see through the wings

Buttons Thoughts said...

I have never seen one and now I really want too but your photos are so life like it is almost like i have. Thank you awesome photography Miss D. Hug B

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

Debbie, it's amazing.
Today I tried to do this owadowi picture.
My photo is of poor quality.
I look up and admire your photos. They are great.
Greetings.
Lucia

TexWisGirl said...

i have only gotten to see them twice. i marvel at them. so cool you got to see one!

S. Etole said...

A couple of summers ago there was one that was especially attracted to the phlox. I haven't seen one lately. You caught some great shots.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Yes,I have seen them,actually just got pictures of one recently.They are quite a unique looking creature. Your pictures are fantastic.

Beth said...

I have never seen one, It is beautiful!

FilipBlog said...

What fantastic colours.

Greetings,
Filip

Our photos said...

Wow! Great shots!
Greetings, RW & SK

Miss Debbie said...

Interesting and so impressive that you caught him inaction!

Susan said...

Isn't he handsome!

eileeninmd said...

Debbie, they are neat moths! I see them around my butterfly bushes. These are awesome shots of the Clearwing Moth. Have a great evening!

Nicki said...

Wow - incredible shots with amazing detail.

Farm Girl said...

That is amazing you got that, moths are night creatures so that you got it in the daylight is amazing. It must have been that beautiful butterfly bush that drew it out.

The Furry Gnome said...

Those are fabulous photos! Not at all easy to catch.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I see one once in a while...I think that is what they are. You did a great job capturing this pretty guy!

Brian King said...

These are great, Debbie! I've never seen of these guys. For a moth, they're pretty darn big!

MastHoliday said...

Really, love your flowers! looking Pretty and sweet...

Nancy said...

They kind of creep me out in the evening -- so big! You did well with capturing this fella.

Unknown said...

You always find beauty in the smallest of things - gorgeous!

DeniseinVA said...

Fantastic photos Debbie! You captured him well. I haven't seen one of these for a very long time, but saw several on a butterfly bush outside a restaurant once and was told then what it was. I thought they were extraordinary!

Ida said...

How cool! I'm so happy you were able to capture this wonderful moth.
Yes I've seen Hummingbird Moths before. The one's I've seen do not have the clear patches in the wings though. I tried to photograph one last year but the cat kept trying to catch it and the photos were a bit blurred. Cats love to (shame on them) eat these moths.

Susan said...

Such incredible photos Debbie. I never would have known about this lovely moth if not for you :D)