What is this large flying insect?
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On the first picture it is on the upper right hand side. And on the second it is lower left corner. I thought it was a hummingbird when I took the pictures. Can you help?
21 answers
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you aren't too far off in thinking its a hummingbird. it's a clear wing hummingbird moth. they are daytime moths. I get them all summer long in my garden in eastern PA.
Dawn McCreary
on Oct 11, 2013
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My question is, "What is the name of that stunning flowering bush?" I am thinking Althea (Rose of Sharon)? I gotta get one!
Jeanette S
on Oct 11, 2013
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We had one of those striped hummingbird moths in our garden for the first time this year. They are very beneficial and pollinate just like a hummingbird does. You are blessed to have one!
Jessica C
on Oct 11, 2013
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Thank you so much. A hummingbird moth-wow!
MaryKay@Studio23Thirty
on Oct 11, 2013
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Thanks so much. I saw my 1st live hummingbird last Spring and have been fascinated ever since. Now a hummingbird moth. I'm blessed.
MaryKay@Studio23Thirty
on Oct 11, 2013
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I don't know if you are familiar with these plants, but they are considerd a "near nieusance" plant.. You may want to rim them in the fall to keep them from getting leggy. And to get rid of the pods that drop to the ground and seed.
Jeanette S
on Oct 11, 2013
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I don't know if you are familiar with these plants, but they are considerd a "near nieusance" plant.. You may want to trim them in the fall to keep them from getting leggy. And to get rid of the pods that drop to the ground and seed.
Jeanette S
on Oct 11, 2013
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Thanks for the advise. I wish I had some warning on the morning glories I planted a few years ago. Talk about an invasion. Oh my.
Mary Kay
on Oct 11, 2013
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They are called SPHINX moths and they come from the tomato horn worm. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphingidae
John Reilly
on Oct 12, 2013
- See 2 previous
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I'd just answered that same question for the Quad-Citiy Times last week -- http://qctimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/columnists/alma-gaul/racoon-story-trumps-the-bat/article_10a3d064-40dc-5827-909e-2fddd837433a.html
John Reilly
on Oct 12, 2013
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I had a tomato horn worm in my garden 2 years ago. He leveled all my peppers and 3 tomatoes. He went in the garbage. Yuck!!
Chris J
on Oct 12, 2013
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u are very lucky to have sphinx moth. do not have any sphinx moths here lately. I will love to save those tomato horn caterpillars that u do not want. ;-) I do have several rose of Sharon. I admire the beauty of flowers and hummingbirds love those, too.
Vicki
on Oct 12, 2013
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I found a moth hummingbird in my garden in upstate NY several years ago. The home section of the Herald Journal had an article about them w/ pictures just before I saw it, so I knew what it was when I saw it + I was thrilled, since the article explained that it was rare to see them in our climate. I had my camera in my pocket (I'm obsessed w/ gardening as well as photography) + actually got a great picture of it, too.
Sharon
on Oct 13, 2013
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Oh, don't get me wrong....they are one of my favorite plants. Beautiful colors, easy to grow, and bloom when nothing else does in hot, dry weather! But down herek, they spread with every flower that drops off and reseeds! So we have to watch them.
Jeanette S
on Oct 13, 2013
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It is a Hummingbird Moth.
Jinny
on Oct 15, 2013
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Hummingbird Moth. Pretty but in the caterpillar stage of growth these beauties are Tomato Horned worms!! They will devastate your Tomato crops. Have them every year! On going battle here. Last year I hand picked 23 off of my Tomatoes in one day! lol ;)
Debbie B Cook
on Oct 15, 2013
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Thanks for the good advise everyone.
MaryKay@Studio23Thirty
on Oct 15, 2013
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I see someone has answered your question already; it's a hummingbird butterfly! Though night creatures, often spotted by day.
DutchJetje
on Oct 16, 2013
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Hummingbird moths!
Gloria Ketter
on Oct 18, 2013
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I have had ROSE OF SHARONS for many years. Had not problem with them multiplying. I might find one ocassionally but never more than one a year. So enjoy your spiritual plants.
Alva Jean Sharp
on Oct 19, 2013
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I've had a similar insect. Hovers like a hummingbird but looks like a moth. It loves these purple flowers I have.
Patricia HATLEY
on Aug 09, 2015
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