Hummingbirds and Sphinx Moths

Above: Silhouette of a hummingbird playing in a field of zinnias at dusk.



The most common hummingbird in East Central Florida is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). There are more than 350 species of hummingbirds but I assume that what we see are the Ruby-throated Hummers.

They are attracted to any of the orange or red-blooming plants. In my gardens there are some Japanese Glorybowers (Clerodendrum japonicum) that are blooming and attracting both the hummingbirds and the sphinx moths.



There are also some little gladiolus (Gladiolus L.) plants that I brought from the Pensacola area blooming (below). These also attract the hummingbirds.



There are five species of hummingbirds that are common in North America: Allen's, Rufous, Anna's, Costa's, and the Ruby-throated. Most spend their summers west of the Mississippi River.

The Ruby-throated is the only species that predominantly summers east of the Mississippi River. She will breed, raise her young, then fly back to Central America to winter.

Below: A tiny hummingbird juvenile sitting on a leaf.



Below: Without the aid of a powerful camera lens it is difficult to tell a Sphinx Moth from a Hummingbird as they are similar in size, movement and attracted to the same flowers. They both come out at dusk to feed on flower nectar. Sphinx Moths (or Hawk Moths) include about 1,200 species.

I believe this individual to be the White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata). In Florida its not uncommon to see this moth around its host plant which includes Tomatoes (Lycopersicon), Four o'clock (Mirabilis jalapa), and Evening Primrose (Oenothera). . . so think twice before killing those tomato worms. They will become this spectacular moth.

When I had large papaya plants that was their favorite host. I'm cultivating new papayas this year so hopefully we'll be seeing more of these later this fall. These were on a honeysuckle vine (Lonicera japonica).



Below: I believe this specimen to be Tersa Sphinx (Xylophanes tersa). The larva of this species resembles a fat snake. I've yet to find one though I do have one of their favorite host plants in a pot by the pool; Hamelia patens (or Firebush).