More record-breaking high temps in the offing, even though the nights are now longer than the days. As I was watering the pots on the front steps last evening, out of the corner of one eye, I saw one the moonflowers moving -- an enormous hawkmoth was dive bombing the vine. The body was almost as big as my index finger, suspended by impossibly small and impossibly fast-beating wings. They're also nicknamed hummingbird moths, because they bear an uncanny resemblance to the bird. It -- or a relative -- was still at it when I fetched the paper at 6:30 a.m.
The moonflower vine is routinely putting out a dozen or more fragrant blooms every evening. They stay open until almost 9 a.m. now.
Here's photos of one of apparently many species of hawkmoths -- scroll down to see one with blurred, beating wings.
3 comments:
I saw a hawk moth on my butterfly bush earlier this summer. I could not figure out what it was -- had to call my son (the expert on all North American fauna) and he identified it for me.
BTW, thank you for commenting on my raw milk post so I could clarify! I'm new at this whole blogging thing, and it's a relief to be able to edit when I've said something obtuse. :D
We get white-lined hawk moths on the salvias. One summer the kids and I raised a couple of the enormous caterpillars until they turned into the moths. They pupate underground, so we put several inches of dirt and leaf litter in the bottom of the butterfly enclosure. Worked like a charm!
How I miss moonvine. I didn't plant one this year.
I saw a hummingbird hawk moth last night enjoying my millionbells and verbena. Amazing little creatures.
Marietta, OH
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