What is this strange creature?

ntech · 22nd July 2006, 09:49 AM

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 · 22nd July 2006, 09:58 AM

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

Bikewer · 22nd July 2006, 10:09 AM

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 · 22nd July 2006, 10:13 AM

Mothra !!!

ntech · 22nd July 2006, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by mumchup

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 · 22nd July 2006, 10:41 AM

That's just more evidence of bigfoot.

Arkan_Wolfshade · 22nd July 2006, 12:44 PM

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

Soapy Sam · 22nd July 2006, 12:49 PM

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

ntech · 22nd July 2006, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Arkan_Wolfshade

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 · 22nd July 2006, 04:54 PM

I would call it a Sphinx moth

I just noticed someone had links never mind

Meffy · 23rd July 2006, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Soapy Sam

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 · 24th July 2006, 07:39 AM

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

Psi Baba · 24th July 2006, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Soapy Sam

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 · 24th July 2006, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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...

krx

22nd July 2006, 10:13 AM	#4
Just thinking Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,169	Mothra !!!
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22nd July 2006, 10:23 AM	#5
ntech JREF Kid Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Salisbury Mills, New York Posts: 812	Thanks Originally Posted by mumchup 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.
	__________________ We have also arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. This is a prescription for disaster. We might get away with it for a while, but sooner or later this combustible mixture of ignorance and power is going to blow up in our faces. - Carl Sagan Last edited by ntech; 22nd July 2006 at 10:25 AM.

22nd July 2006, 10:41 AM	#6
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 20,963	That's just more evidence of bigfoot.
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22nd July 2006, 12:44 PM	#7
Arkan_Wolfshade Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Making Mytheon come to life Posts: 7,158	Additional info via google, http://www.birds-n-garden.com/hummingbird_moths.html
	__________________ Amy: You should try homeopathic medicine, Bender. Try some zinc. Bender: I am forty percent zinc. Amy: Then take some echinacea, or St. John's Wort. Professor: Or a big fat placebo. It's all the same crap.

22nd July 2006, 12:49 PM	#8
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885	Didn't we have this thread a few months ago?
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885

22nd July 2006, 09:58 AM	#2
mumchup Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Dictyoptera Posts: 1,325	We had one in our garden a couple years ago. It's appropriately called a hummingbird moth.

22nd July 2006, 10:09 AM	#3
Bikewer Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 9,525	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.

22nd July 2006, 03:10 PM	#9
ntech JREF Kid Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Salisbury Mills, New York Posts: 812	Originally Posted by Arkan_Wolfshade 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
	__________________ We have also arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. This is a prescription for disaster. We might get away with it for a while, but sooner or later this combustible mixture of ignorance and power is going to blow up in our faces. - Carl Sagan

22nd July 2006, 04:54 PM	#10
Dogdoctor Canis Doctorius Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pacific Ocean Posts: 14,281	I would call it a Sphinx moth I just noticed someone had links never mind
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23rd July 2006, 06:12 PM	#11
Meffy Anthropomorphic Skunk Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Unincorporated Territory of Croatan Posts: 4,232	Originally Posted by Soapy Sam 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.

24th July 2006, 07:39 AM	#12
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	It seems to be feeding on Lantana, which I thought was poisonous (presumably not for hawk moths)
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	__________________ "Reci bobu bob a popu pop." - Tanja "Everything is physics. This does not mean that physics is everything." - Cuddles "The entire practice of homeopathy can be substituted with the advice to "take two aspirins and call me in the morning." - Linda "Homeopathy: I never knew there was so little in it." - BSM

24th July 2006, 11:26 AM	#13
Psi Baba Homo Skepticalis Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Occupying my barstool Posts: 3,179	Originally Posted by Soapy Sam 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!
	__________________ Save Caribbean Rum! (seriously)

24th July 2006, 02:05 PM	#14
krx Thinker Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 140	Originally Posted by 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. 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... krx
krx Thinker Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 140