ExploreInsects

Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth

Macroglossum stellatarum

The Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth is a special insect that looks like a tiny hummingbird! It flits around flowers, sipping nectar with its long tongue, just like a bird.

Habitat: Gardens and meadows

Appearance

The Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth has tawny-brown forewings and bright orange-yellow hindwings, with a distinct black and white checkered abdomen. It possesses a long, slender proboscis and large eyes, giving it a bird-like appearance distinct from most moths.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilySphingidaeGenusMacroglossum
Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth
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Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

It's a champion traveler, migrating hundreds of miles each year!

Its caterpillars munch on plants called bedstraw, then turn into moths!

This amazing moth can remember the best flowers from day to day!

You might hear a soft humming sound as it zips past you!

Special abilities

Ability

Hover Master

Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth can hover perfectly still in mid-air because of its incredibly fast wing beats, allowing it to feed precisely.

Ability

Long Tongue Nectar Sipper

Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth has a very long proboscis that helps them reach nectar deep inside flowers that other insects cannot access.

Ability

Daylight Dynamo

Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth can fly and feed during the day because of its sharp vision, making it unique among most moths.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
40-50 mm
Size
30-35 mm
Lifespan
20-180 days
Flight Speed
48 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

This moth sips sweet nectar from flowers using its super long straw-like tongue!

Age differences: Larvae feed on bedstraw plants before becoming nectar-sipping adults.

Primary Foods

  • honeysuckle nectar
  • phlox nectar
  • verbena nectar
  • buddleia nectar
  • jasmine nectar

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

honeysuckle

Lonicera periclymenum

Helps transfer pollen while collecting nectar.

eats

lady's bedstraw

Galium verum

Caterpillars feed on its leaves before pupating.

eaten by

greater mouse-eared bat

Myotis myotis

Adult moths can become a food source for bats.

pollinates

garden phlox

Phlox paniculata

Visits these flowers for nectar, aiding reproduction.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These moths are not harmful, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth's wingspan?

40-50 mm

How big is Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth?

30-35 mm

How long does Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth live?

20-180 days

How fast can Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth fly?

48 km/h

What does Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth eat?

This moth sips sweet nectar from flowers using its super long straw-like tongue!

Where is Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth usually found?

Gardens and meadows

How does Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth have?

6

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