![]() They are not damaging and an absolute delight to watch.īill Ciesla has received training through Colorado State University Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County. If you happen to see one or more of these moths in your flower beds, welcome them. This insect typically has two generations per year. By beating their wings rapidly, these agile fliers are able to hover like a hummingbird in midair. With their large, plump bodies and relatively small wings, they must beat their wings fast in order to stay aloft. The moths are primarily night fliers, but can also be seen during the day. The hindwings are bright red-pink in the middle. Each forewing has a broad tan band going from the base to the tip of the wing, crossed by a series of thin white stripes along the wing veins. The forewings have a span of 2½ to 3½ inches. They have long, narrow, triangular forewings and shorter hindwings. The adult moths are stout with a furry brown bodies crossed by six white stripes. In areas where larvae are especially abundant, they can be seen crossing roads in search of more food plants. Chances are that the movement is being caused by white-lined sphinx caterpillars. The best way to spot the caterpillars is to walk out into an area of grassland, keep your eye focused on a fixed spot for several minutes and look for movement in the vegetation. Large numbers of caterpillars have been reported near the Rawhide Power Plant north of Fort Collins and on the Pawnee National Grassland. The abundance of a favorite host plant has resulted in near outbreak populations of caterpillars in some locations, a relatively rare event. Grassland habitats north and east of Fort Collins have had spectacular blooms of evening primrose, a favorite host plant for white-lined sphinx caterpillars. This year's cool weather and relatively frequent rains have created a banner year for wildflowers. The larval stage of white-lined sphinx feeds on a wide range of plants, including primrose, portulaca, apple, grape, four o'clocks and peonies. Take another look and you'll see that they're not a hummingbird, but a moth, a member of a group of moths known as hummingbird moths. Their wings move so rapidly that even the fastest of cameras have difficulty freezing their motion. They hover near brightly colored flowers and insert long, specialized mouthparts into the blossoms in search of nectar. Naturalist Jim McCormac writes a column for The Dispatch on the first and third Sundays of the month.At first glance, the adult white-lined sphinx moths look like hummingbirds. Plant some attractive nectar plants nearby, and you’ll have a ringside seat to the most fascinating moth show in town. By adding just a few of the aforementioned plants, you can grow your own crop of these spectacular moths. Hummingbird moths often occur in urban environments. The caterpillars are finicky eaters and are chemically compatible with these plants, shunning other species. ![]() In the case of hummingbird moths, good host plants include arrowwood viburnum ( Viburnum dentatum), coralberry ( Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) and dwarf honeysuckle ( Diervilla lonicera). The moth must have suitable host plants upon which to lay its eggs. As with all moths and butterflies, hummingbird moths have a four-part life cycle: egg, caterpillar, cocoon or chrysalis, and winged adult. Special ingredients are required to foster hummingbird moth reproduction, and such ingredients can easily be added to your yard. If you plant some of this showy lavender-flowered mint, you’re sure to draw in hummingbird moths. I’ve seen lots of the moths on my wanderings and have heard of many reports and seen lots of photos.īoth of our day-flying hummingbird moths will visit many species of flowers, but an absolute favorite is the wild bergamot ( Monarda fistulosa). Hummingbird clearwing moths look and act astonishingly like hummingbirds, and more than a few have been mistaken for birds. But, for the most part, the unidentified flying object hovers and darts just like a hummingbird.Ĭhances are good that the befuddled weed-picker is looking at one of our strangest moths. The “bird” seems a bit small, and its flight isn’t quite as rapid and forceful as that of a ruby-throated hummingbird. ![]() These animals look and act like hummingbirds, but something is amiss. Occasionally, funny-looking “hummingbirds” enter the flower beds and stump the gardener. After all, what’s not to like about these feisty nectar-suckers that are chock-full of personality? They plant hummingbird-friendly plants such as salvia, trumpet creeper and cardinal flower in hope of luring the feathered helicopters. Gardeners tend to be smitten with hummingbirds. ![]()
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