For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Humming-bird Hawk-moths
Identify It > Moth Section > Humming-bird Hawk-moths >
Scientific name: Macroglossum stellatarum
Size: Wingspan approximately 55mm
Distribution: Found throughout the U.K. (including the Shetland Islands) but the majority are seen in southern England
Months seen: Can be seen as early as March. It's possible some hibernate in Britain during the winter, but the majority fly in from North Africa and Europe between May and September
Life span: Adult moths can live for up to 7 months
Habitat: Gardens, parks and places with plenty of flowering plants and shrubs
Food: Nectar. The green caterpillars (seen between June and September) feed on bedstraws
Special features: Humming-bird Hawk-moths are a beautiful day-flying moth which are often seen in gardens feeding on geraniums, honeysuckle, petunias, buddleia or verbena. Their forewings wings are a dusty grey colour on the upper surfaces and the underwings (which are visible in flight) are bright orange.
They are equipped with a very long tongue which they use to drink nectar whilst on the wing. Just like real hummingbirds they hover in front of flowers as they feed. Their little orange wings flap so fast they appear to be on fire. They also make a throbbing noise as they hover.
In 1946, following WWII, there were large numbers of Humming-bird Hawk-moths seen in the UK. This was put down to all the bedstraw which had been left untrimmed during the war years, which provided the caterpillars with an abundance of food. Large numbers were also seen in the summer of 2003 following the hot dry conditions throughout Europe.
Humming-bird Hawk-moths breed in the UK each summer. Despite growing to around 60mm in length (almost 2.4 inches) their caterpillars are extremely well camouflaged and rarely seen. They feed on Bedstraws, and can be found between June and October. They are a yellow-green colour with two prominent white lines running from the head to the tail. At the tail end there is a short blue-black coloured horn with an orange tip.
NOTE: Although real hummingbirds can be found throughout most of the Americas, they've never been found in the wild in the UK.
Sightings
2013 - Sherborne, Gloucestershire - G. Bradley
2014 - Devon - Beryl Ladd
2014 - West Yorkshire - Rob Hill
2015 - Ramsey, Harwich, Essex - Lesley Chambers (photo)
2015 - Headcorn, Kent - Shakira Christodoulou
2015 - South shore, Moray Firth - Catherine MacLeod
2015 - Portknockie, Buckie, Banffshire - Roddie Owens
2015 - Balham, S.W. London - Jackie Hamerton
2015 - Whittlesey, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire - Maureen Murphy
2016 - Guildford, Surrey - Steven McNair
2017 - Manchester - Rebecca Ward
2017 - North Newington, Oxfordshire - Kevin Coleman
2017 - County Durham - Sandra Judd
2017 - South Benfleet, Essex - Clem Baranger
2018 - St. Ives, Cornwall - Deborah Lucas (photo)
2018 - National Trust Cotehele Estate, Cornwall - Deborah Lucas
2019 - Abingdon, Oxfordshire - Dave Shallis
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