The Pink-spotted Hawk Moth (Agrius cingulatus), is sometimes confused with a hummingbird and/or called the 'hummingbird moth.' At higher latitudes they are a pest of sweet potato crops.
Like these photos?
See all the unedited photos at
Phillip on Twitter @philzcatz
These appear to be most prevalent at our latitude in Florida in spring and fall. They are abundant at dusk.
They jump from flower to flower, very quickly. They appear to prefer the Jimsonweed and Lantana (both in short supply due to the ongoing drought) but can be found strafing the abundant Periwinkle blossoms which are extremely drought-tolerant and in full bloom.
At a glance they just look like any other moth or hummingbird, but in extreme close-up their patterning clearly distinguishes them from other moths.
More about the Pink-spotted Hawk Moth
Family: Sphingidae, Sphinx Moths view all from this family
Description: 3 3/4 - 4 3/4" (94-119mm). Forewings narrow; brown and gray pattern resembles bark; hindwings gray-brown with black and pink to orange bands, small pink patch at base. Body brown with pink bands; black bands on abdomen.
Similar Species: The pink crossbars on the abdomen effectively separate this species from its kin.
Life Cycle Host plants: Jimsonweed, Sweet Potato, Pawpaw
Flight: May-Nov. depending upon latitude; often most common in spring and fall. In Florida the flights are extended by months Feb - Jan.
Habitat: Open areas, including farmlands, meadows, and gardens.
Range: Eastern Canada to southern South America.
The caterpillar is sometimes a pest on Sweet Potato crops. Like other sphinx moths, this species flies well and fast (30mph or faster at times). It sometimes strays far from its home range and has even been seen 500 out in the Atlantic Ocean. Sphinx moths feed on tubular flowers and have a very long proboscis especially adapted to the task. The large caterpillars of sphinx moths have a long, pointed horn at the end of their body and are frequently called "hornworms."
We've Read:
New evidence found on pottery in Israel suggests that literacy may have been far more widespread than previously known in the Holy Land around 600 B.C., toward the end of the First Temple Period. These newly found writings were dated to shortly before Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah, and the exile of its elite to Babylon—and before many scholars believe the major part of the biblical texts, including the five books of Moses, also known as the Pentateuch, were written in any cohesive form.
Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas cruising under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay.
More @majikphil
In the bizarre world of Internet "discounts," inconsistent list prices can make it tough to figure out what a product is really worth.
Saudi Arabia has warned the Obama administration and members of Congress that it will sell off hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of American assets held by the kingdom if Congress passes a bill that would allow the Saudi government to be held responsible in American courts for any role in the Sept. 11, 2011, attacks. We say let them try. Such action would be in an attempt to keep the US government from freezing those assets but would cost the Kingdom billions and cripple their economy. Election year politics, however, will likely doom the bill. which is 15 years late coming. Related: Its time to make Saudi Arabia pay for underwriting international terrorism.