Hummingbird Hawkmoth

Name: Hummingbird Hawkmoth

Scientific name: Macroglossum stellatarum

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 90

What are nature stars?

About: A small, day-flying hawkmoth, with a body of about 2.5cm and a wingspan about 4cm. Hummingbird Hawkmoths are summer visitors, migrating here from the continent in variable numbers each summer. In some years they can be common, frequently seen in gardens hovering to feed on nectar at honeysuckle, red valerian and many other flowers.

How to identify: The Hummingbird Hawkmoth has greyish brown front wings, orange hind wings and a greyish body with a broad black and white 'tail'. It is an expert hoverer, feeding from flowers with its long proboscis.

Where: A widespread migrant, most frequent in the south and near the coast.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 10
• Agility: 70
• Rarity: 60
• Cute factor: 80
• Traveller: 90

Fantastic fact: This is the only 'hummingbird' in Europe: real hummingbirds are only found in the Americas.

Photograph credit: Dave Appleton