What is this strange creature?

[ntech]

I though that someone here in the science section might be able to identify this creature. It looks like a cross between a bee and a humming bird (of course not literally). It has a skinny long tube to suck nectar from the butterfly bushes.

[mumchup]

We had one in our garden a couple years ago. It's appropriately called a hummingbird moth.

[Bikewer]

I first saw one as a young kid; the neighbor had an extensive flower garden, and you'd see them every once in a while. Quite spectacular.

[Just thinking]

Mothra !!!

[ntech]

We had one in our garden a couple years ago. It's appropriately called a hummingbird moth.

Thanks much mumchup. I didn't know how I would find it since I can't google a photo. ;)

I was amazed how undistracted it was when I had the lens close.

[thaiboxerken]

That's just more evidence of bigfoot.

[Arkan_Wolfshade]

Additional info via google, http://www.birds-n-garden.com/hummingbird_moths.html

[Soapy Sam]

Didn't we have this thread a few months ago?

[ntech]

Additional info via google, http://www.birds-n-garden.com/hummingbird_moths.html

Thanks Arkan

Soapy, I apologize if it was an early thread. I did not notice

[Dogdoctor]

I would call it a Sphinx moth

I just noticed someone had links never mind

[Meffy]

Didn't we have this thread a few months ago?
If you'd just calibrate your time machine as I told you, you'd not get confused about these matters.

[Deetee]

It seems to be feeding on Lantana, which I thought was poisonous (presumably not for hawk moths)

[Psi Baba]

Didn't we have this thread a few months ago?There was one about two years ago, Soapy. I remember it because I was also seeing in my back yard at the time the thread appeared. Unfortunately, I haven't seen it since (neither last summer nor yet this summer). However, my dad has been seeing them in his yard and has been asking me about it. I told him I'd look for a picture again. Thanks, ntech!

[krx]

I though that someone here in the science section might be able to identify this creature. It looks like a cross between a bee and a humming bird (of course not literally). It has a skinny long tube to suck nectar from the butterfly bushes.

Hi ntech,

Looks like a Slender clearwing to me. triple-w.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=3438

Reminds me of my youth, when I was out hopping around with my butterfly net and chlorophorm jar... Mmmm, the sweet smell of chlorophorm... :faint:

krx