What the heck was that? Help (flowers, city, fast, summer) - Garden -Trees, Grass, Lawn, Flowers, Irrigation, Landscaping... - City-Data Forum

mcorrales · 07-31-2008, 05:34 PM

I was just out deadheading some flowers when I jumped back after seeing this "thing" sipping from my flowers. I am new to gardening and also new to the state of PA, so I will try to describe it and post pics later (if any turned out, it was moving pretty fast). it had a "beak" like a humming bird, partially translucent wings, was half amber (like a bee) and the rest dark colored, wings moved like a hummingbird, but had antenna and at least four legs like a bee. It sipped literally sipped inside the bloom of each flower and then moved on to the rest. It was not timid and not threatening either. It flitted around us and the flowers for over ten minutes, not afraid in the least. Hope that I am describing it adequately, but I had never seen anything like it and while new to gardening, I am not new to life LOL. Thanks

Nomadicus · 07-31-2008, 05:58 PM

Did it look like this?

mcorrales · 07-31-2008, 06:12 PM

Yes, thats it. What is it? And do they sting or bite? I have grandkids around.

LadyRobyn · 07-31-2008, 06:28 PM

A Hummingbird Moth!

Harmless and pretty.

Beautiful pic Nomadicus!

mcorrales · 07-31-2008, 06:38 PM

Wow, thanks so much. You guys are awesome did not expect such a quick response

Towhee · 08-01-2008, 06:19 AM

That is the Clearwing Hummingbird Moth, also called a Bumblebee Moth. We have them, and the Sphinx Humminigbird Moth, also called Hawk Moth. I enjoy all of them.
That is a great picture. They are hard to photograph.

cynwldkat · 08-01-2008, 06:38 AM

Wow...that is so beautiful! Lucky you! I haven't seen but one since moving to NC. Not sure but I'd think they are here too---just don't know where.

Towhee · 08-01-2008, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cynwldkat

Wow...that is so beautiful! Lucky you! I haven't seen but one since moving to NC. Not sure but I'd think they are here too---just don't know where.

They are espacially attracted to Abelia blossoms. Mine came out about a month ago.

The Phlox are blooming right now, too, and ...as you can see, that is what 'my' moth is hovering over.

Briolat21 · 08-01-2008, 08:21 AM

As soon as I saw "PA" in the OPs statement, I thought "Hummingbird Moth".. we have family near Pittsburgh, and not a summer goes by that we don't see at least one at the neighbors petunia/planter box.

We've just moved to Cincinnati, and I have seen many down here. Very cool - in Michigan (Detroit area) - I never saw any...

Enjoy your wildlife!

Steve-o · 08-01-2008, 08:32 AM

I see those things all the time here in IL, theyre really neat to watch.