Humming-bird Hawk-moth
Macroglossum stellatarum
This record describes Macroglossum stellatarum (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 40-50 mm. It flies in the sunshine and hovers in front of flowers, sipping the nectar with its long proboscis, very much like the Hummingbird which gives it its name. Gardens, parks and other areas where its food plants occur. June to August are the main months. Has been recorded in winter, and is known to hibernate, and therefore spring records may refer to overwintering individuals rather than new immigrants. Mainly diurnal, visiting Aubrietia, Buddleia, Viper's Bugloss, Red Valerian and various other plants. The larvae feed on Bedstraw, and some of these may hatch and give rise to autumn adults in an influx year. An immigrant species which sometimes occurs in large numbers. A large influx occurred in the summer of 2000, when moths were observed in parks and gardens all over Britain. The species was again quite common in 2003 and 2006. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as a migrant.
Wikipedia reference for Macroglossum stellatarum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macroglossum stellatarum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Macroglossinae
- Tribe
- Macroglossini
- Genus
- Macroglossum (Hummingbird Hawkmoths)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Gardens, parks and other areas where its food plants occur.
Seasonal Activity
June to August are the main months. Has been recorded in winter, and is known to hibernate, and therefore spring records may refer to overwintering individuals rather than new immigrants. Mainly diurnal, visiting Aubrietia, Buddleia, Viper's Bugloss, Red Valerian and various other plants.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Bedstraw, and some of these may hatch and give rise to autumn adults in an influx year.
Additional species information
Recorded status
An immigrant species which sometimes occurs in large numbers. A large influx occurred in the summer of 2000, when moths were observed in parks and gardens all over Britain. The species was again quite common in 2003 and 2006. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as a migrant.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Macroglossum stellatarum. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Humming-bird Hawk-moth (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Humming-bird Hawk-moth
What is Humming-bird Hawk-moth?
Humming-bird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Humming-bird Hawk-moth found?
Habitat: Gardens, parks and other areas where its food plants occur.
When is Humming-bird Hawk-moth active?
Humming-bird Hawk-moth: seasonal activity - June to August are the main months. Has been recorded in winter, and is known to hibernate, and therefore spring records may refer to overwintering individuals rather than new immigrants. Mainly diurnal, visiting Aubrietia, Buddleia, Viper's Bugloss, Red Valerian and various other plants..
What is the life cycle of a Humming-bird Hawk-moth?
The larvae feed on Bedstraw, and some of these may hatch and give rise to autumn adults in an influx year.