The hummingbird moth is a captivating insect often mistaken for its avian namesake due to its unique flying behavior. This moth possesses a stout body and a long proboscis, which it uses to feed on nectar while hovering in mid-air, creating the illusion of a tiny hummingbird. Its wings beat so rapidly that they produce an audible hum. Its appeal lies in its daytime activity, distinguishing it from most moths and making it a striking sight in gardens and open fields.
Defining the Common Name
The term “hummingbird moth” is a common name applied to several distinct insects within the Sphingidae family, also known as sphinx or hawk moths. In North America, the name usually refers to clearwing species, such as the Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) and the Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis). These moths feature transparent patches on their wings where scales are missing, giving them a bee-like appearance. Across the Atlantic, the most recognized species is the Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum), found throughout Europe and Asia. The specific location a moth lives depends on which species is being observed.
Global Distribution
Hummingbird moth species span multiple continents. North American clearwing moths like Hemaris thysbe are widespread, ranging from Newfoundland south to Florida and Texas, and extending across the continent to Alaska and British Columbia. The Snowberry Clearwing, Hemaris diffinis, is also common across much of the United States and Canada, though less prevalent west of the Continental Divide.
The Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) is native to the Old World, inhabiting an area from Portugal across Southern Europe and North Africa, east to Japan. This species is a permanent resident in warmer climates, particularly around the Mediterranean basin. Clearwings are generally confined to the Americas, while the hawk-moth is found across the Eurasian landmass.
Specific Habitat Needs
All hummingbird moths require two primary resources: nectar for the adults and specific host plants for their larvae. Adults are attracted to open, sunny areas like cultivated gardens, meadows, and woodland edges where nectar-rich flowers are abundant. They favor deep-throated, tubular flowers such as honeysuckle, bee balm, phlox, and certain salvias, which match their long proboscis.
The presence of host plants determines where these moths establish a permanent breeding population. North American clearwings rely on plants like snowberry, honeysuckle, hawthorn, or cherry and plum trees. Hummingbird Hawk-moth larvae primarily feed on various species of bedstraw (Galium).
Seasonal Migration
For many hummingbird moth populations, residence is temporary, dictated by seasonal migration patterns. The Hummingbird Hawk-moth travels northward from its resident breeding grounds in Southern Europe and North Africa during the spring. These migratory individuals can be seen in northern regions, including the United Kingdom, where they breed during the summer months.
In North America, species like the White-lined Sphynx (Hyles lineata) also undertake migrations. These populations move north into Canada and the northern United States during the summer for temporary floral resources. As cold weather approaches, these moths or their offspring move south or perish, making their presence in the northernmost range a warm-weather phenomenon.
Defining the Common Name
These moths feature transparent patches on their wings where scales are missing, giving them a bee-like or clear-winged appearance. Across the Atlantic, the most recognized species is the Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum), which is found throughout Europe and Asia. All these species share the characteristic behavior of high-speed, hovering flight and a long, coiled feeding tube. Understanding this distinction is important because the exact location a moth lives depends on which specific species is being observed.
Global Distribution
The various species known as hummingbird moths have a remarkably broad geographic footprint, spanning multiple continents. North American clearwing moths like Hemaris thysbe are widespread, ranging from Newfoundland in the east, south to Florida and Texas, and extending across the continent to parts of Alaska and British Columbia. The Snowberry Clearwing, Hemaris diffinis, is also common across much of the United States and Canada, though it is less prevalent west of the Continental Divide.
The Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) is native to the Old World, inhabiting a vast area from Portugal across Southern Europe and North Africa, all the way east to Japan. This species is a permanent resident in warmer climates, particularly around the Mediterranean basin. Their range often overlaps with other species in transition zones, but the clearwings are generally confined to the Americas, and the hawk-moth to the Eurasian landmass.
Specific Habitat Needs
Regardless of their specific species or continent, all hummingbird moths seek habitats that provide two primary resources: nectar for the adults and specific host plants for their larvae. The adult moths are highly attracted to open, sunny areas like cultivated gardens, meadows, and woodland edges where nectar-rich flowers are abundant. They favor deep-throated, tubular flowers such as honeysuckle, bee balm (Monarda), phlox, and certain salvias, which match their long proboscis.
The presence of host plants is a major determinant of where these moths establish a permanent breeding population. For the North American clearwings, this often means areas containing plants like snowberry, honeysuckle, hawthorn, or cherry and plum trees. The Hummingbird Hawk-moth larvae, conversely, primarily feed on various species of bedstraw (Galium). A successful habitat must therefore feature both the adult’s fuel source and the caterpillar’s food source.
Seasonal Migration
For many hummingbird moth populations, especially those living in higher latitudes, their residence is temporary, dictated by seasonal migration patterns. The Hummingbird Hawk-moth, for instance, is a well-known annual migrant that travels northward from its resident breeding grounds in Southern Europe and North Africa during the spring. These migratory individuals can be seen in northern regions, including the United Kingdom, where they breed during the warm summer months.
Similarly, in North America, species like the White-lined Sphynx (Hyles lineata), which is also often referred to as a hummingbird moth, undertake significant migrations. These populations move north into Canada and the northern United States during the summer to take advantage of temporary floral resources. As cold weather approaches, these moths or their offspring move south again or perish, meaning their presence in the northernmost parts of their range is only a warm-weather phenomenon.