Humming-Bird Hawk-Moth

About four years ago, whilst walking around my garden, I saw my first Humming-Bird Hawk-Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum).  It was early evening and it was feeding on some verbena bonariensis.  Since then I’ve been very, very keen to see another.  And perhaps, manage to photograph one.

Whilst mowing today and not really thinking about anything much (except what I might have for my tea), I passed a lavender plant.And to my joyand excitement I saw one.  I leapt like a gazelle for my camera (a wheezing, not very svelte gazelle) and managed to get a few shots of this nippy little chap.  He’s fast!Though they have been known to overwinter in the UK, most Humming-Bird Hawk-Moths migrate here from the Mediterranean.Which I just think is incredible.  A moth!!  From the Med!!

The proboscis is rolled up when not in use (I learnt that from this photo!)

Funnily, enough I’d noticed earlier how much bedstraw was flowering and have since learnt that the moth’s caterpillars feed on yes, bedstraw.

Came across him again a little later.  Without the flash of orange under his wing and his swift darting (humming bird like) motion he’s quite unremarkable.Unless you know otherwise.