There are a few types of moths that resemble hummingbirds. This mimicry allows the moths to evade predators by looking like the fast, agile hummingbirds that would be difficult to catch. The most common moths that resemble hummingbirds are clearwing moths, sphinx moths, and hawk moths. These moths have evolved to look very similar to hummingbirds through adaptations like wings that are narrow like a hummingbird’s, bodies that are solid in color like a hummingbird’s body, and the ability to hover and feed from flowers while flapping their wings rapidly just like hummingbirds do. The resemblance is so close that these moths are sometimes referred to as “hummingbird moths.”
Clearwing Moths
Clearwing moths belong to the family Sesiidae. There are over 1,500 species of clearwing moths, most of which are found in tropical areas. As their name suggests, these moths have mostly clear wings with very thin, faint wing markings. This gives them the appearance of hummingbirds in flight because hummingbirds also have clear wings that flap rapidly, making them look almost invisible. Some examples of clearwing moth species that resemble hummingbirds are the snowberry clearwing moth, the hummingbird clearwing moth, and the grapevine episema.
Here are some key facts about clearwing moths:
– They are day-flying moths, active during the same daytime hours as hummingbirds. This adds to their resemblance.
– Their bodies are solid black, brown, orange, or yellow, with no patterns. Just like hummingbird bodies.
– They have long proboscises (mouthparts) that allow them to feed on nectar from flowers like hummingbirds.
– Their wings are long, narrow, and clear like a hummingbird’s wings. The rapid wing flapping creates the illusion of a hummingbird.
– Species like the snowberry clearwing have tail projections that look like a hummingbird’s tail.
So in flight, it would be very easy to mistake a clearwing moth for a tiny hummingbird! This close resemblance likely protects them from predators.
Sphinx Moths
Sphinx moths are in the moth family Sphingidae. There are about 1,450 species worldwide, and many of them are also excellent mimics of hummingbirds. For example, the white-lined sphinx moth looks uncannily similar to the ruby-throated hummingbird.
Here are some characteristics sphinx moths share with hummingbirds:
– Rapid wing flapping while hovering and feeding from flowers.
– Streamlined, sleek bodies.
– Some species like the white-lined sphinx have red patches on their bodies and red tails like a ruby-throated hummingbird.
– Long proboscises that resemble a hummingbird’s beak.
– Wings that are clear, long, narrow, and pointy at the ends.
Other sphinx moth species that resemble hummingbirds are the snowberry sphinx, Raspberry sphinx, twin-spotted sphinx, and the bumblebee hawk moth from Europe. All these species have evolved to mimic hummingbirds quite closely.
Hawk Moths
Like sphinx moths, hawk moths are also in the Sphingidae family. Several hawk moth species resemble hummingbirds, including:
– The hummingbird hawk-moth found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. True to its name, this moth looks incredibly similar to a hummingbird in flight. It has clear wings, a streamlined silhouette, and can hover in place while feeding on flower nectar with its long proboscis.
– The bedstraw hawk moth, found in Europe. It resembles bumblebee hummingbirds with its black and yellow striped body.
– The spruce hawk moth from North America. It has a green body that resembles some green-feathered hummingbird species.
– The broad-bordered bee hawk-moth from Eurasia, which has an orange body with black stripes like many hummingbirds.
Like the sphinx moths, all these hawk moth adaptations allow them to impersonate hummingbirds quite convincingly. The mimicry helps them avoid predators.
Benefits of Mimicking Hummingbirds
It’s clear that clearwing moths, sphinx moths, and hawk moths have all evolved the ability to mimic hummingbirds quite closely. But what exactly are the benefits of resembling hummingbirds? There are a few primary advantages:
– Avoiding predators – Predators like birds find hummingbirds difficult to catch, so moth species that look like hummingbirds can fly around undetected.
– Access to food sources – Hummingbirds can feed on the nectar of certain flowers that only accommodate their long beaks and proboscises. The moths’ long proboscises allow them to access the same food sources by mimicking hummingbirds.
– Increased aerodynamics – The streamlined bodies, narrow wing shape, and ability to hover helps these moth species feed while exerting minimal energy just like hummingbirds.
– Added camouflage from clear wings – With transparent, clear wings, these moths can escape predators more easily as their wing movements are less visible.
– Intimidating predators – Smaller predators may be frightened of trying to catch these moths, fearing the moths are ultra-fast, agile hummingbirds.
So by impersonating hummingbirds quite convincingly, these moths gain access to food sources, improved flight efficiency, camouflage, and protection from predators all at the same time! No wonder they have evolved such close resemblance to hummingbirds.
Examples of Hummingbird-Like Moths
Snowberry Clearwing Moth
The snowberry clearwing moth (Hemaris diffinis) mimics snowberry and raspberry feeding hummingbirds. Native to North America, it has a wingspan of 1.6 to 2.5 inches, and is covered in brown or yellow furry-looking scales. Its wings are mostly transparent except for brown wingtips. In flight, it looks remarkably similar to a small brown and yellow hummingbird.
White-Lined Sphinx Moth
With its yellow body, black and white stripes, red head patch, and red tail, the white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) provides an uncanny mimicry of the ruby-throated hummingbird. Its wings are long, clear, and pointed like a hummingbird’s. It can hover and feeds on flower nectar using its long proboscis. This species is found across North America.
Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
Europe, Asia, and Africa are home to the hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum). It has a light brown fuzzy body, transparent wings with brown tips, and can beat its wings up to 90 times per second while hovering. This allows it to perfectly mimic small hummingbirds feeding on flowers.
Bedstraw Hawk Moth
The bedstraw hawk moth (Hyles gallii) is a master of mimicry, resembling the European bumblebee hummingbird with its black and yellow striped body and wings. It hovers while feeding on flowers just like a hummingbird. Its native habitat is Europe and temperate Asia.
Differences Between Hummingbird Moths and Real Hummingbirds
Though they look remarkably similar, there are some differences between these nectar-feeding moths and actual hummingbirds:
| Characteristic | Hummingbird Moth | Real Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Wings | Mostly transparent with some colors or patterns towards the tips | Covered in colorful iridescent feathers |
| Color | Solid colors of black, brown, orange, etc. with very little patterning | Bright, iridescent colors and bold patterns |
| Size | Very small, 1-3 inch wingspans typically | 2.5-8 inches wingspans |
| Antennae | Thin, spike-like | Miniscule |
| Proboscis | Long, pointed for reaching into flowers | Long, pointed beak |
| Behavior | Hover while feeding, rapid wing beats | Hover while feeding, rapid wing beats |
| Time of day | Most active in mornings and afternoons | Most active in mornings and afternoons |
So while the look and behavior of these moths mimic hummingbirds, minor differences in wings, size, antennae, and other features set them apart from true hummingbirds on closer inspection.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a few species of moths like clearwing moths, sphinx moths, and hawk moths that bear an uncanny resemblance to hummingbirds. They have evolved transparent, narrow wings, the ability to hover and feed from flowers, and colored bodies that provide excellent mimicry of hummingbirds. This allows them to evade predators, access food sources, and conserve energy. While they may look like hummingbirds at first glance, small differences in features like wings and antennae set them apart on closer inspection. So next time you see what looks like a tiny, speedy hummingbird, take a closer look – it just might be a sneaky moth!
