Hummingbird Moths
The next time you walk by a patch of flowers and think you see a flying hummingbird, look again! It could be a hummingbird moth, an underappreciated but valuable pollinator. No, hummingbird moths are not rare. They can be found across North America and other continents where they are native. People often miss them or mistake them for hummingbirds because they look alike and hover in flight. Their commonality varies by region and species, but they are widespread in North America. The hummingbird clearwing and snowberry clearwing are common examples. Planting nectar-rich flowers in your garden can attract these helpful pollinators and support their populations.
What Is a Hummingbird Moth?
Sphinx moths are very different from other moths. Many backyard gardeners see them and exclaim, “What was THAT thing?” At first glance, people often think they are hummingbirds or bumblebees. During the day, these moths feed on flowers and can hover like hummingbirds. This has earned them the name hummingbird moth.
Four Species in North America
There are four species of hummingbird moths found in North America:
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Hummingbird clearwing moth
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White-lined sphinx moth
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Snowberry clearwing moth
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Slender clearwing moth
Why Hummingbird Moths Are Called Sphinx Moths or Hawk Moths
Hummingbird moths are also known as sphinx moths. Here’s the interesting reason why:
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These species range from the Sierras to the ocean.
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In many places, they are quite common.
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When their caterpillars raise their heads, their bodies appear flat underneath. This shape resembles the mythical Sphinx that guards the tombs of pharaohs in Egypt.
You might also hear them called hawk moths or hummingbird hawk moths. Their streamlined wings allow them to fly quickly, making them both fast and agile. They are also known as bee moths or bee hawk moths.
What Does a Hummingbird Moth Look Like?
Hummingbird moths have thick and bushy antennae that are wider at the top. Most of their bodies are covered with long hair, not feathers. They also have six legs, like all insects. Their wings have pale splotches. The clear-winged sphinx moths, such as the snowberry clearwing, have clear wings after emerging from their cocoons. They have a plump body like a bumblebee.
What Does a Caterpillar Look Like?
The unique horn makes these caterpillars easy to identify.
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When fully grown, the fall webworm caterpillars are about as big around as your little finger.
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They are smooth and have a pointy horn at their tail end.
Are Hummingbirds and Hummingbird Moths Related?
A hummingbird is an inch bigger than a hummingbird moth.
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They look similar at first glance, but hummingbird moths are insects, not birds.
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The main way to tell them apart is size. Hummingbird moths grow to only 1 or 2 inches long, while hummingbirds are typically 3 to 4 inches long.
Hummingbird Moths Rare
Are Hummingbird Moths Rare?
The snowberry clearwing moth is one of the two types of hummingbird moths you are most likely to see in your garden. The other is the hummingbird clearwing.
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Sparse clearwings are uncommon in some areas.
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If you see a hummingbird-sized moth zipping through your garden at night, it’s likely one of these sphinx moths.
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These moths are active during both day and night, so plant night-blooming flowers, like moonflower, to attract them.
Facts About Hummingbird Moths
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A hummingbird moth can hover like a hummingbird.
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They feed on nectar using their elongated proboscis.
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Their long proboscis can be twice the length of their body.
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They prefer tube-shaped flowers with nectar at the base of their petals, such as columbines, nasturtiums, and four-o’clocks.
Hummingbird Moths Don’t Like Red
Unlike hummingbirds, hummingbird moths do not prefer red flowers. They are attracted to:
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Tubular blooms in other colors during the day.
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Fragrant white or light flowers at night.
Fast Top Flight Speed
The white-lined sphinx moth can fly at 25 to 35 mph, which is similar to the speed of most hummingbirds.
Get to know the colorful moths you can find in broad daylight!
MD Imdadul Haque is the founder of BirdzFly, a research-backed resource on North American backyard birds. Drawing on years of independent study into bird identification, behavior, and migration patterns, he writes in-depth guides designed to help US birders understand the species in their own backyards — from common feeder visitors to seasonal migrants passing through.
