By Josie June 28th, 2023
This enchanting creature has an uncanny ability to mimic hummingbirds’ flight and feeding habits.
The Hummingbird Hawk-Moth can flap its wings at a velocity of approximately 85 beats per second!
The moth’s most defining physical characteristic is how it hovers in mid-air, with its wings beating incredibly fast.
The moth measures a mere 2-2.5 inches in length and 0,05 ounces in weight.
The moth’s body is furry and brown, with white stripes running along the length of its segments.
The furry nature of its body is essential for thermoregulation.
Their furry bodies make them resemblance their avian counterpart even more (the hummingbird.)
It has a long tongue, almost twice the length of its body, that it uses to draw nectar from the base of flowers.
The life cycle usually takes around 30 days; adult moths can live for up to two weeks.
Notably, these insects do not need to migrate, as they can survive the cold European winters by going into a state of dormancy.
Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change put their natural habitats at risk.
In some cultures, hawk moths are symbols of good luck, representing transformation, adaptation, and intuition.