Hornworms & Hummingbird Moths
I saw my first hummingbird moth at our new house this month, enjoying nectar from petunias on the patio. If you’ve never seen a hummingbird moth before, it looks like a small hummingbird, with the same flitting behaviors and buzzing wings.
These moths are a type of sphinx moth; some refer to them as hawk moths (Family Sphingidae). These strong fliers hover in front of deep throated flowers, feasting on nectar through their extended proboscis. Some moths look like hummingbirds or bumblebees, while others exhibit exquisite wing patterns. Some of the largest moths in the world are part of the Sphingidae family.
There are four species of hummingbird moths in North America. In Indiana, you may find Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) and the Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe). The adult moths feed on many flowers, but the caterpillar larvae seek honeysuckle, dogbane, hawthorn, cherries, and plums.
Most people enjoy these visitors to their patios. However, these same people may not appreciate the larval stage of these insects. Sphinx moths lay eggs on a variety of plants. While the hummingbird moth larvae aren't typically considered pests, other sphinx moths are notorious – including the dreaded tomato hornworm (larval stage of the five-spotted moth) and tobacco hornworm (larval stage of the Carolina sphinx moth). In fact, I found two tobacco hornworms on my tomatoes this afternoon (both tobacco and tomato hornworms eat both crops, despite their names). They decimated a couple tomato plants before I realized it! Nevertheless, they do become impressive moths as adults.
Are you interested in learning more? The US Forest Service has great information on these and other insects: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/hawk_moths.shtml
