As soon as I saw the pic, I thought: Goodness me, thats a "Hummingbird Hawk moth caterpillar"
Of course, just in case I was mistaken, I spent an hour on the net (just to get confirmation you understand Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum (Linnaeus)
The Humming-bird Hawk-moth (wingspan 20-24mm) is a widespread species throughout southern Europe and migrates north to parts of the continent each summer (it is usually very common in France each summer, but breeds there with varying success). This moth is an annual immigrant to our shores from April to December, but is usually only seen in limited numbers around the south coast, although it is occasionally found further north. A particularly warm summer here and on the continent, however, can result in relatively large numbers of Humming-bird Hawk-moths being found in the UK and recent summers have seen this species being frequently reported here.
The caterpillars of the Humming-bird Hawk-moth feed on lady’s bedstraw and heath bedstraw and are distinguished by a ‘horn’ on the end of the green body, which confirms it as a hawk-moth caterpillar, and yellow stripes down the side identify it as a Humming-bird Hawk-moth.The caterpillars will pupate in a cocoon low in the vegetation or in leaf litter, and the adults emerge late in the autumn. Few adults are able to survive our cold winters, which is why the species is not resident here, although there are signs that this species is becoming established as some have recently been recorded successfully overwintering in the southwest, especially in unheated outbuildings.
Photograph David Young/Butterfly Conservation
As its name suggests the adults of this species resemble hummingbirds as they fly rapidly between foodplants and hover to feed on tubular flowers of plants such as viper’s bugloss, red valerian, jasmine, petunia and the garden favourite; buddleia. The orange-brown hindwings and black and white chequered body can be seen in flight and, with its warm greyish-brown forewings, distinguish the Humming-bird Hawk-moth from the Bee Hawk-moths that exhibit similar flight characteristics. The Humming-bird Hawk-moth can be found in many habitats from coastal areas to gardens, woodland rides and townhouse window boxes.
Author: Sarah Brook
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[/img]Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum (Linnaeus)
The Humming-bird Hawk-moth (wingspan 20-24mm) is a widespread species throughout southern Europe and migrates north to parts of the continent each summer (it is usually very common in France each summer, but breeds there with varying success). This moth is an annual immigrant to our shores from April to December, but is usually only seen in limited numbers around the south coast, although it is occasionally found further north. A particularly warm summer here and on the continent, however, can result in relatively large numbers of Humming-bird Hawk-moths being found in the UK and recent summers have seen this species being frequently reported here.
The caterpillars of the Humming-bird Hawk-moth feed on lady’s bedstraw and heath bedstraw and are distinguished by a ‘horn’ on the end of the green body, which confirms it as a hawk-moth caterpillar, and yellow stripes down the side identify it as a Humming-bird Hawk-moth.
Photograph Voogd/Butterfly Conservation
The caterpillars will pupate in a cocoon low in the vegetation or in leaf litter, and the adults emerge late in the autumn. Few adults are able to survive our cold winters, which is why the species is not resident here, although there are signs that this species is becoming established as some have recently been recorded successfully overwintering in the southwest, especially in unheated outbuildings.
Photograph David Young/Butterfly Conservation
As its name suggests the adults of this species resemble hummingbirds as they fly rapidly between foodplants and hover to feed on tubular flowers of plants such as viper’s bugloss, red valerian, jasmine, petunia and the garden favourite; buddleia. The orange-brown hindwings and black and white chequered body can be seen in flight and, with its warm greyish-brown forewings, distinguish the Humming-bird Hawk-moth from the Bee Hawk-moths that exhibit similar flight characteristics. The Humming-bird Hawk-moth can be found in many habitats from coastal areas to gardens, woodland rides and townhouse window boxes.
Author: Sarah Brook
![]()
Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum (Linnaeus)
The Humming-bird Hawk-moth (wingspan 20-24mm) is a widespread species throughout southern Europe and migrates north to parts of the continent each summer (it is usually very common in France each summer, but breeds there with varying success). This moth is an annual immigrant to our shores from April to December, but is usually only seen in limited numbers around the south coast, although it is occasionally found further north. A particularly warm summer here and on the continent, however, can result in relatively large numbers of Humming-bird Hawk-moths being found in the UK and recent summers have seen this species being frequently reported here.
The caterpillars of the Humming-bird Hawk-moth feed on lady’s bedstraw and heath bedstraw and are distinguished by a ‘horn’ on the end of the green body, which confirms it as a hawk-moth caterpillar, and yellow stripes down the side identify it as a Humming-bird Hawk-moth.
Photograph Voogd/Butterfly Conservation
The caterpillars will pupate in a cocoon low in the vegetation or in leaf litter, and the adults emerge late in the autumn. Few adults are able to survive our cold winters, which is why the species is not resident here, although there are signs that this species is becoming established as some have recently been recorded successfully overwintering in the southwest, especially in unheated outbuildings.
Photograph David Young/Butterfly Conservation
As its name suggests the adults of this species resemble hummingbirds as they fly rapidly between foodplants and hover to feed on tubular flowers of plants such as viper’s bugloss, red valerian, jasmine, petunia and the garden favourite; buddleia. The orange-brown hindwings and black and white chequered body can be seen in flight and, with its warm greyish-brown forewings, distinguish the Humming-bird Hawk-moth from the Bee Hawk-moths that exhibit similar flight characteristics. The Humming-bird Hawk-moth can be found in many habitats from coastal areas to gardens, woodland rides and townhouse window boxes.
Author: Sarah Brook[/img]
I had been telling my hubby about the time I was in Morecombe when the Moby Dick and Hotel was hit by lightening and burnt down. My parents, sister and myself had just come off the Moby Dick when lightening stuck