Sphinx Clearwinged Moth by TomDart

Photography • Animals • posted on Sep 14, 2005

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Description

This insect confused me...looking so close to a bumblebee I didn't want to hold it. It appeared dying, done its thing and going on. I was totally wrong. This moth was only waking! The second image is the moth flittering its wings in very rapid fashion. Then, it took a few steps and flew away..very fast and strong. This is the Cearwinged Sphinx Moth, also called a Bumblebee or Hummingbird moth. In flight, it is very hummingbird-like. Resting, we step back since the wonderful color of the fur is so bee-like. A moth without color in the wings? Hummm. As in the now buried in my gallery Luna Moth, this one showed up on the same brick wall where I work. That is a good stroke. Images taken with my old Minolta Dimage F100, a light and dependable carry cam and not too bad on closeups. Special thanks to a poster on the 'rosity Photography Forum for first identification of this insect to assist me. I thank yesitis for further clarification.

Comments (14)

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tibet2004uk

9:01PM | Wed, 14 September 2005

Ah here's the beauty!! What a gorgeous insect!! That second shot is spot on with a great capture of the wings' movements!

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jocko500

9:01PM | Wed, 14 September 2005

very strange looking moth; but a very good shots

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Richardphotos

9:06PM | Wed, 14 September 2005

the first time I seen one here in the galleries and it is beautiful. excellent macro Snowberry Clearwing Moth - Hemaris diffinis

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kenmo

9:09PM | Wed, 14 September 2005

Excellent shots...

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pm_hackworth

9:10PM | Wed, 14 September 2005

Excellent!! :)

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TomDart

9:25PM | Wed, 14 September 2005

I am the photographer and this is an added note: When this lovely creature warmed its wings then stood, I was surprised at the length of the legs. This is a larger insect overall than expected! From the side view which I tried but could not photograph, the mouthparts,etc. were clearly more gently "moth" and with that view, this yellow and black beauty became softer in mind. TomDart.

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tizjezzme

7:23AM | Thu, 15 September 2005

These hummingbird moths are sooooo cool. This one is beautiful .. great find and capture... :))))

wingnut55

3:10PM | Thu, 15 September 2005

nice shot ! moths of this group really are confusing. when they sit still there does not seem to be anything to suggest they can move SO fast - but i guess there may be a clue in the leading edge of the wing, which looks very rigid ? other moths wings are too soft to cut through the air that way ?

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