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Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth

Hemaris fuciformis

The Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth is a special insect that looks like a bee but is actually a moth! It has beautiful yellow and brown stripes and loves to sip nectar from flowers.

Habitat: Gardens and meadows

Appearance

The Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth has a fuzzy, olive-green body with a reddish-brown tip on its abdomen. Its clear wings are bordered by a broad band of reddish-brown, making it visually distinct from a stinging bee or typical moth.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilySphingidaeGenusHemaris
Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth
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Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

It hums loudly as it flies, sounding exactly like a busy bee!

Its wings start scaled, but they shed them to become clear, just like magic!

The caterpillar has a cool 'horn' on its tail, but it's totally harmless!

This moth can fly backwards and sideways, showing amazing agility in the air!

Special abilities

Ability

Master Mimicry

Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth has a fuzzy, bee-like body that tricks predators into thinking it's a stinging bee for protection.

Ability

Helicopter Hover

Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth can hover precisely in mid-air because of its rapid wing beats, helping it sip nectar from flowers.

Ability

Nectar Straw

Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth has a long, coiled proboscis that helps it reach deep inside flowers to drink sugary nectar.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
38-48 mm
Size
32-38 mm
Lifespan
21-28 days
Flight Speed
40 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults drink flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on leaves to grow big and strong.

Age differences: Larvae eat leaves of honeysuckle and viburnum; adults drink nectar from various flowers.

Primary Foods

  • Honeysuckle nectar
  • Viburnum nectar
  • Knapweed nectar
  • Bugle nectar
  • Honeysuckle leaves (larvae)
  • Viburnum leaves (larvae)

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Bee Moth

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These moths are friendly and won't hurt you, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth's wingspan?

38-48 mm

How big is Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth?

32-38 mm

How long does Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth live?

21-28 days

How fast can Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth fly?

40 km/h

What does Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth eat?

Adults drink flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on leaves to grow big and strong.

Where is Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth usually found?

Gardens and meadows

How does Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth have?

6

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