Hummingbird hawk moth (1 Viewer)

[roosmum]

A friend and I saw a hummingbird hawk moth in her garden last Sunday.
Presumably one which had just woken up!

 

[BackGardenMoths]

There have been a fair few sightings over the past few weeks. The warmer weather has bought them out of hibernation.

http://www.back-garden-moths.co.uk/Sightings.php

Simon
Back Garden Moths

 

[Brian Stone]

Are they coming out of hibernation (do they hibernate as such) or are they moving north? Other migrants have been coming in, birds and moths (e.g. see here), so why not HbHm?

 

[Wickham]

I was just going to post that I had seen a broad-bordered bee hawk moth in my garden; (same as hummingbird moth I think).

It must be months earlier than usual. There were lots last year.

 

[Brian Stone]

In what sense the same? There are two species of bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris species) in UK, plus another in Europe. Hummingbird Hawk-moth is a different genus (Macroglossum stellatarum)

 

[Wickham]

You're right. I had it as Hemaris fuciformis in my gallery but have now changed it to Macroglossum stellatarum.

I thought I had looked it up quite carefully last year but the photos weren't very clear but I've just found a site with better photos.
http://tpittaway.tripod.com/sphinx/m_ste.htm
http://tpittaway.tripod.com/sphinx/h_fuc.htm

 

[Tav94]

Had One Here In Garden Today.

 

[aeshna5]

I had my first of the year in the front garden- briefly hovering infront of a daffodil before flying off. The earliest I've seen one- get them most years in my Middx garden.

 

[h&p]

Just seen one in my garden today. Feeding on Damson Blossom that opened yesterday. Would this be a hibernater? I'm in North Shropshire. Saw first Peacock on 26th March & an other one today on Arabis. Regards Pete

 

[Wildmoreway]

Just seen one in my garden today. Feeding on Damson Blossom that opened yesterday. Would this be a hibernater? I'm in North Shropshire. Saw first Peacock on 26th March & an other one today on Arabis. Regards Pete

I would not rule out a migrator although hibernator is probably more likely in view of the mild winter.

I am just over the border in South Cheshire, interestingly butterflies here have appeared at much the usual time, first Small Tortoiseshell near Audlem on 8th March and then a few more appearing a couple of weeks later followed by Peacocks, Comma and male Brimstones over the past ten days or so.

SW