Hummingbird moth?

[OneGrassRoot]

Earlier I went out to make sure the raven with the broken wing had water. He and his buddies hung out for a long time today, and they all were drinking from the bowl; this must be like a resort for them. ;)

As I walked back inside, noticing how beautiful it was -- clear skies and mild temps after storms last night -- I asked to be shown a miracle. I wasn't specific...I had nothing particular in mind.

I immediately noticed something very strange fly past me. It landed and I was able to get a very good look. When it flew, it was like a hummingbird but MUCH smaller than a hummingbird, more the size of a bee! I was entralled and it took me a good 30 minutes to search and find what new creature I'd been introduced to.

It turns out it's a hummingbird moth. Never heard of this, but thought you might like to see one (I found these pics online), if you've never heard of it either. There are even YouTube videos posted by others just as intrigued as I was with these itsy bitsy "hummingbirds." :)






It really IS like a miniature hummingbird!

:hi:

[lildreamer316]

1. Incredible!

Never heard of it. So it's an insect?
That is so cool!!
Thanks for sharing..

[WhiteTara]

2. but its evil twin is the Green Horned Tomato Worm

http://www.gardengrapevine.com/TomatoWorm.html

what's a gardener to do?

[OneGrassRoot]

3. OMG, the first time I saw one of those on a plant....

it scared the crap out of me! :wow:

I'm not usually skittish about insects -- pretty much only snakes really wig me out -- but this poor worm really wigged me out!

:(

[WhiteTara]

6. I want to get chickens just to feed the worm to them!

I can spot the nasty little buggers right away. I cut the whole branch off with the worm and never touch it. Now I smash them with big rocks, but that is very disgusting too.

[WhiteTara]

7. delete this

my finger got happy and tapped twice!

[Cleita]

4. I used to see them come around the feeders when

I lived up north. They usually came around dusk when the birdie hummers were gone. Ma Nature sure knows how to do unique.

[Kookaburra]

9. That's good to know

Will have to watch the feeders for them.

It's almost time for the hummingbirds to start showing up here -- I love this time of year.

[Kookaburra]

5. That's the coolest thing I've seen all week!

[Howler]

8. Very Cool! n/t

n/t

[laylah]

10. I have had those around

my hummer feeders before. They are amazing, aren't they?

[northernlights]

11. saw them in my perennial garden

two summers ago. Very cool.

[Melissa G]

12. Wow! Thanks for that!

Gorgeous!