Found this moth gathering nectar from aubretia this afternoon. Anyone know what it is? At first I thought it was a big bee. Wings were flapping like the clappers.
Lucky you! Methinks it's the hummingbird hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum). A summer vistor to Britain and day flying. Could you hear its wings humming?
Thanks Hornbeam. Yes I could hear its wings - that's what first caught my attention. I was trying to photograph bees on a wild rose and heard the soft fluttery buzz coming from the aubretia. At first glance I thought it was a big bee. Shame it didn't hang around longer. I got two quick pics with no time to set up the camera properly and then it flew off. [ 14. June 2006, 07:58 PM: Message edited by: Dave W ]
Others on the site have seen HHM's, I have not been lucky enough this year, there's plenty of time, they often return to the same plants/flowers.
