Humming Bird Hawk Moth

Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. Visitors
said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and description from The
Times via email - Times said it was a rare visitor from Africa. Have since
seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that he saw
it in Florence!

Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it?

S.

Sylvia wrote...
> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. Visitors
> said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and description from The
> Times via email - Times said it was a rare visitor from Africa. Have
> since
> seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that he saw
> it in Florence!
>
> Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it?

Actually it's quite common and breeds in Europe.

According to Michael Chinery:

"Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Macroglossum stellatarum
Day flying and most often seen hovering infront of flowers to feed. Also
'sunbathes' by hovering in front of sunny walls. It makes an audible hum
while hovering. Common in gardens. All year, especially in S, in two or
more broods. Larva is green or brown and feeds on bedstraws. Resident in
S, it is a strong migrant and reaches all parts of Europe in spring and
summer. Hibernates as an adult, but rarely survives the winter north of the
Alps."

David

On Mon, 31 Jul 2006 16:24:49 -0000, "David Lee"
<davidlee_malvern@dont.use.this.bit.hotmail.com> wrote:

>Sylvia wrote...
>> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. Visitors
>> said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and description from The
>> Times via email - Times said it was a rare visitor from Africa. Have
>> since
>> seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that he saw
>> it in Florence!
>> Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it?
>
>Actually it's quite common and breeds in Europe.
>According to Michael Chinery:
>"Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Macroglossum stellatarum
>Day flying and most often seen hovering infront of flowers to feed. Also
>'sunbathes' by hovering in front of sunny walls. It makes an audible hum
>while hovering. Common in gardens. All year, especially in S, in two or
>more broods. Larva is green or brown and feeds on bedstraws. Resident in
>S, it is a strong migrant and reaches all parts of Europe in spring and
>summer. Hibernates as an adult, but rarely survives the winter north of the
>Alps."

I think it should be pointed out that it isn't exactly 'common' in
England but they do occur quite frequently in summer, especially in
years when we have strong winds from the south.

) At the moment
there seem to be a lot of migrants - lots of Silver-Y moths, Scaeva
hoverflies and Painted Lady butterflies so you could expect to see
Hummingbird Hawks in any flowery garden.

I actually saw one this year in early April, which is presumed to have
been one that successfuly hibernated so, with more global warming,
they might well become resident some time soon.

Chris R.

David Lee wrote: news:atCdnfOSVeNOs1PZnZ2dnUVZ8qqdnZ2d@eclipse.net. uk

> Sylvia wrote...
>> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued.
>> Visitors said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and
>> description from The Times via email - Times said it was a rare
>> visitor from Africa. Have since
>> seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that
>> he saw it in Florence!
>>
>> Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it?
>
> Actually it's quite common and breeds in Europe.
>
> According to Michael Chinery:
>
> "Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Macroglossum stellatarum
> Day flying and most often seen hovering infront of flowers to feed.
> Also 'sunbathes' by hovering in front of sunny walls. It makes an
> audible hum while hovering. Common in gardens. All year, especially
> in S, in two or more broods. Larva is green or brown and feeds on
> bedstraws. Resident in S, it is a strong migrant and reaches all
> parts of Europe in spring and summer. Hibernates as an adult, but
> rarely survives the winter north of the Alps."
>
> David

Here are main flight period and dispersal in the Netherlands
http://tinyurl.com/eltb2
http://tinyurl.com/hqk2c
There are sighting in every month, except 11, 12 and 1.

--
p.a.

"Sylvia" <spamtrap@chy-an-piran.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:44ce1e90$0$18819$626a54ce@news.free.fr...
> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. Visitors
> said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and description from The
> Times via email - Times said it was a rare visitor from Africa. Have
> since
> seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that he saw
> it in Florence!
>
> Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it?
>
> S.

I posted on 24th August, 2003 that I had uploaded a couple of short videos
of a hummingbird hawkmoth onto our website. They are still there and you
can view them at:-

www.daviv.com/moths.htm

Cheers,

Dave.

--
Dave Hall, Llangwm, Pembrokeshire.
Web:- www.daviv.com Videos of badgers and foxes on our patio
and birds inside a nestbox.

Peter Alaca <P.Alaca@jul.nn> observed
>David Lee wrote: news:atCdnfOSVeNOs1PZnZ2dnUVZ8qqdnZ2d@eclipse.net. uk
>> Sylvia wrote...
>>> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued.
>>>Visitors said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and
>>> description from The Times via email - Times said it was a rare
>>> visitor from Africa. Have since
>>> seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that
>>> he saw it in Florence!
>>> Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it?
>> Actually it's quite common and breeds in Europe.
>> According to Michael Chinery:
>> "Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Macroglossum stellatarum
>> Day flying and most often seen hovering infront of flowers to feed.
>>Also 'sunbathes' by hovering in front of sunny walls. It makes an
>> audible hum while hovering. Common in gardens. All year, especially
>> in S, in two or more broods. Larva is green or brown and feeds on
>> bedstraws. Resident in S, it is a strong migrant and reaches all
>> parts of Europe in spring and summer. Hibernates as an adult, but
>> rarely survives the winter north of the Alps."
>> David
>
>Here are main flight period and dispersal in the Netherlands
>http://tinyurl.com/eltb2
>http://tinyurl.com/hqk2c
>There are sighting in every month, except 11, 12 and 1.

We've just been staying in North Norfolk. Our hosts said they had them
in the garden, but sadly the rain this past week meant that they weren't
around - or while we were looking. I'd love to see one.

Mike

[The reply-to address is valid for 30 days from this posting]
--
Michael J Davis
<><
Some newsgroup contributors appear to have confused
the meaning of "discussion" with "digression".
<><

They are quite "common" here in Lincolnshire (nr Skegness). I have had them
on buddleia for the last three years but not yet this year. They are usually
out on a warm evening but you have to look carefully to see them as their
wings are just a blur.
Steve.

"Dave Hall" <dave@no_spam_daviv.com> wrote in message
news:5cDzg.4165$t%.2665@newsfe7-gui.ntli.net...
> "Sylvia" <spamtrap@chy-an-piran.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:44ce1e90$0$18819$626a54ce@news.free.fr...
>> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. Visitors
>> said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and description from The
>> Times via email - Times said it was a rare visitor from Africa. Have
............snip...............

Michael J Davis wrote:
news:Ks47ELGq9y1EFwAO@trustsof.demon.co.uk.invalid

> Peter Alaca <P.Alaca@jul.nn> observed
>> David Lee wrote: news:atCdnfOSVeNOs1PZnZ2dnUVZ8qqdnZ2d@eclipse.net. uk
>>> Sylvia wrote...
>>>> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued.
>>>> Visitors said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and
>>>> description from The Times via email - Times said it was a rare
>>>> visitor from Africa. Have since
>>>> seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that
>>>> he saw it in Florence!
>>>> Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it?
>>> Actually it's quite common and breeds in Europe.
>>> According to Michael Chinery:
>>> "Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Macroglossum stellatarum
>>> Day flying and most often seen hovering infront of flowers to feed.
>>> Also 'sunbathes' by hovering in front of sunny walls. It makes an
>>> audible hum while hovering. Common in gardens. All year,
>>> especially in S, in two or more broods. Larva is green or brown
>>> and feeds on bedstraws. Resident in S, it is a strong migrant and
>>> reaches all parts of Europe in spring and summer. Hibernates as an
>>> adult, but rarely survives the winter north of the Alps."
>>> David
>>
>> Here are main flight period and dispersal in the Netherlands
>> http://tinyurl.com/eltb2
>> http://tinyurl.com/hqk2c
>> There are sighting in every month, except 11, 12 and 1.
>
> We've just been staying in North Norfolk. Our hosts said they had them
> in the garden, but sadly the rain this past week meant that they
> weren't around - or while we were looking. I'd love to see one.

I havent seen any since June, not even
during the second hot spell.

--
p.a.

"steve" <nspf@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:dbidnUhKu9Hu80rZRVnytw@bt.com...
> They are quite "common" here in Lincolnshire (nr Skegness). I have
had them
> on buddleia for the last three years but not yet this year. They are
usually
> out on a warm evening but you have to look carefully to see them as
their
> wings are just a blur.
> Steve.

You just missed them, Steve.
Just outside Horncastle, we had them regularly for over a week this
year.
http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/moths%20p2.html#HbirdHawk

--
ned

http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk

>
> "Dave Hall" <dave@no_spam_daviv.com> wrote in message
> news:5cDzg.4165$t%.2665@newsfe7-gui.ntli.net...
> > "Sylvia" <spamtrap@chy-an-piran.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
> > news:44ce1e90$0$18819$626a54ce@news.free.fr...
> >> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued.
Visitors
> >> said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and description
from The
> >> Times via email - Times said it was a rare visitor from Africa.
Have
> ...........snip...............
>
>

	#1
Sylvia	Humming Bird Hawk Moth Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. Visitors said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and description from The Times via email - Times said it was a rare visitor from Africa. Have since seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that he saw it in Florence! Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it? S.

	#2
David Lee	Re: Humming Bird Hawk Moth Sylvia wrote... > Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. Visitors > said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and description from The > Times via email - Times said it was a rare visitor from Africa. Have > since > seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that he saw > it in Florence! > > Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it? Actually it's quite common and breeds in Europe. According to Michael Chinery: "Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Macroglossum stellatarum Day flying and most often seen hovering infront of flowers to feed. Also 'sunbathes' by hovering in front of sunny walls. It makes an audible hum while hovering. Common in gardens. All year, especially in S, in two or more broods. Larva is green or brown and feeds on bedstraws. Resident in S, it is a strong migrant and reaches all parts of Europe in spring and summer. Hibernates as an adult, but rarely survives the winter north of the Alps." David

	#3
no@emails.thx	Re: Humming Bird Hawk Moth On Mon, 31 Jul 2006 16:24:49 -0000, "David Lee" <davidlee_malvern@dont.use.this.bit.hotmail.com> wrote: >Sylvia wrote... >> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. Visitors >> said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and description from The >> Times via email - Times said it was a rare visitor from Africa. Have >> since >> seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that he saw >> it in Florence! >> Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it? > >Actually it's quite common and breeds in Europe. >According to Michael Chinery: >"Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Macroglossum stellatarum >Day flying and most often seen hovering infront of flowers to feed. Also >'sunbathes' by hovering in front of sunny walls. It makes an audible hum >while hovering. Common in gardens. All year, especially in S, in two or >more broods. Larva is green or brown and feeds on bedstraws. Resident in >S, it is a strong migrant and reaches all parts of Europe in spring and >summer. Hibernates as an adult, but rarely survives the winter north of the >Alps." I think it should be pointed out that it isn't exactly 'common' in England but they do occur quite frequently in summer, especially in years when we have strong winds from the south. ) At the moment there seem to be a lot of migrants - lots of Silver-Y moths, Scaeva hoverflies and Painted Lady butterflies so you could expect to see Hummingbird Hawks in any flowery garden. I actually saw one this year in early April, which is presumed to have been one that successfuly hibernated so, with more global warming, they might well become resident some time soon. Chris R.

	#4
Peter Alaca	Re: Humming Bird Hawk Moth David Lee wrote: news:atCdnfOSVeNOs1PZnZ2dnUVZ8qqdnZ2d@eclipse.net. uk > Sylvia wrote... >> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. >> Visitors said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and >> description from The Times via email - Times said it was a rare >> visitor from Africa. Have since >> seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that >> he saw it in Florence! >> >> Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it? > > Actually it's quite common and breeds in Europe. > > According to Michael Chinery: > > "Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Macroglossum stellatarum > Day flying and most often seen hovering infront of flowers to feed. > Also 'sunbathes' by hovering in front of sunny walls. It makes an > audible hum while hovering. Common in gardens. All year, especially > in S, in two or more broods. Larva is green or brown and feeds on > bedstraws. Resident in S, it is a strong migrant and reaches all > parts of Europe in spring and summer. Hibernates as an adult, but > rarely survives the winter north of the Alps." > > David Here are main flight period and dispersal in the Netherlands http://tinyurl.com/eltb2 http://tinyurl.com/hqk2c There are sighting in every month, except 11, 12 and 1. -- p.a.

	#5
Dave Hall	Re: Humming Bird Hawk Moth "Sylvia" <spamtrap@chy-an-piran.demon.co.uk> wrote in message news:44ce1e90$0$18819$626a54ce@news.free.fr... > Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. Visitors > said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and description from The > Times via email - Times said it was a rare visitor from Africa. Have > since > seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that he saw > it in Florence! > > Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it? > > S. I posted on 24th August, 2003 that I had uploaded a couple of short videos of a hummingbird hawkmoth onto our website. They are still there and you can view them at:- www.daviv.com/moths.htm Cheers, Dave. -- Dave Hall, Llangwm, Pembrokeshire. Web:- www.daviv.com Videos of badgers and foxes on our patio and birds inside a nestbox.

	#6
Michael J Davis	Re: Humming Bird Hawk Moth Peter Alaca <P.Alaca@jul.nn> observed >David Lee wrote: news:atCdnfOSVeNOs1PZnZ2dnUVZ8qqdnZ2d@eclipse.net. uk >> Sylvia wrote... >>> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. >>>Visitors said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and >>> description from The Times via email - Times said it was a rare >>> visitor from Africa. Have since >>> seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that >>> he saw it in Florence! >>> Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it? >> Actually it's quite common and breeds in Europe. >> According to Michael Chinery: >> "Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Macroglossum stellatarum >> Day flying and most often seen hovering infront of flowers to feed. >>Also 'sunbathes' by hovering in front of sunny walls. It makes an >> audible hum while hovering. Common in gardens. All year, especially >> in S, in two or more broods. Larva is green or brown and feeds on >> bedstraws. Resident in S, it is a strong migrant and reaches all >> parts of Europe in spring and summer. Hibernates as an adult, but >> rarely survives the winter north of the Alps." >> David > >Here are main flight period and dispersal in the Netherlands >http://tinyurl.com/eltb2 >http://tinyurl.com/hqk2c >There are sighting in every month, except 11, 12 and 1. We've just been staying in North Norfolk. Our hosts said they had them in the garden, but sadly the rain this past week meant that they weren't around - or while we were looking. I'd love to see one. Mike [The reply-to address is valid for 30 days from this posting] -- Michael J Davis <>< Some newsgroup contributors appear to have confused the meaning of "discussion" with "digression". <><

	#7
steve	Re: Humming Bird Hawk Moth They are quite "common" here in Lincolnshire (nr Skegness). I have had them on buddleia for the last three years but not yet this year. They are usually out on a warm evening but you have to look carefully to see them as their wings are just a blur. Steve. "Dave Hall" <dave@no_spam_daviv.com> wrote in message news:5cDzg.4165$t%.2665@newsfe7-gui.ntli.net... > "Sylvia" <spamtrap@chy-an-piran.demon.co.uk> wrote in message > news:44ce1e90$0$18819$626a54ce@news.free.fr... >> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. Visitors >> said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and description from The >> Times via email - Times said it was a rare visitor from Africa. Have ............snip...............

	#8
Peter Alaca	Re: Humming Bird Hawk Moth Michael J Davis wrote: news:Ks47ELGq9y1EFwAO@trustsof.demon.co.uk.invalid > Peter Alaca <P.Alaca@jul.nn> observed >> David Lee wrote: news:atCdnfOSVeNOs1PZnZ2dnUVZ8qqdnZ2d@eclipse.net. uk >>> Sylvia wrote... >>>> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. >>>> Visitors said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and >>>> description from The Times via email - Times said it was a rare >>>> visitor from Africa. Have since >>>> seen it in my garden (in the purple Perigord). My son text me that >>>> he saw it in Florence! >>>> Surprised nobody here has mentioned it ... or have I missed it? >>> Actually it's quite common and breeds in Europe. >>> According to Michael Chinery: >>> "Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Macroglossum stellatarum >>> Day flying and most often seen hovering infront of flowers to feed. >>> Also 'sunbathes' by hovering in front of sunny walls. It makes an >>> audible hum while hovering. Common in gardens. All year, >>> especially in S, in two or more broods. Larva is green or brown >>> and feeds on bedstraws. Resident in S, it is a strong migrant and >>> reaches all parts of Europe in spring and summer. Hibernates as an >>> adult, but rarely survives the winter north of the Alps." >>> David >> >> Here are main flight period and dispersal in the Netherlands >> http://tinyurl.com/eltb2 >> http://tinyurl.com/hqk2c >> There are sighting in every month, except 11, 12 and 1. > > We've just been staying in North Norfolk. Our hosts said they had them > in the garden, but sadly the rain this past week meant that they > weren't around - or while we were looking. I'd love to see one. I havent seen any since June, not even during the second hot spell. -- p.a.

	#9
ned	Re: Humming Bird Hawk Moth "steve" <nspf@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:dbidnUhKu9Hu80rZRVnytw@bt.com... > They are quite "common" here in Lincolnshire (nr Skegness). I have had them > on buddleia for the last three years but not yet this year. They are usually > out on a warm evening but you have to look carefully to see them as their > wings are just a blur. > Steve. You just missed them, Steve. Just outside Horncastle, we had them regularly for over a week this year. http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/moths%20p2.html#HbirdHawk -- ned http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk > > "Dave Hall" <dave@no_spam_daviv.com> wrote in message > news:5cDzg.4165$t%.2665@newsfe7-gui.ntli.net... > > "Sylvia" <spamtrap@chy-an-piran.demon.co.uk> wrote in message > > news:44ce1e90$0$18819$626a54ce@news.free.fr... > >> Saw this in Laroque Gageac (Dordogne) in June. Was intrigued. Visitors > >> said they'd look it up. Received picture, name and description from The > >> Times via email - Times said it was a rare visitor from Africa. Have > ...........snip............... > >