In North America, there are over 140 species of hummingbird moths. Most of these moths live in the western part of the continent. Hummingbird moths are found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, mountains, and forests.
The average lifespan of a hummingbird is around five to seven years. But hummingbird moths can live for up to 7 months only, with some species as short as 3-7 weeks.
However, there are records of individual moths living for up to one year. Hummingbird moths are active during the day and are often mistaken for the tiny birds they resemble.
These moths feed on nectar from flowers using their long tongues. They are important pollinators of many plant species.
Is It Rare to See a Hummingbird Moth?
Yes, it is rare to see a hummingbird moth. These moths are not very common, and they are not often seen in North America.
However, they can be found in other parts of the world, such as Europe and Asia.
What Eats the Hummingbird Moth?
The hummingbird moth is a unique creature that is often mistaken for a hummingbird. These moths are actually in the hawk moth family and are known for their long tongues, which they use to drink nectar from flowers.
While the adult moths do not eat solid food, they rely on nectar and pollen to fuel their flight.
The larvae of the hummingbird moth are voracious eaters and will consume just about anything they can get their hands on, including leaves, fruit, and even other insects!
What Does a Hummingbird Moth Turn Into?
If you’ve ever seen a hummingbird moth, you might have been struck by how similar they look to their namesake birds. Hummingbird moths are actually a type of hawk moth, and there are many species found all over the world.
In North America, the most common species is the clearwing hummingbird moth (Hemaris diffinis).
Like all moths, hummingbird moths go through four stages in their life cycle: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult.
The caterpillars of most species are green or brown and blend in well with leaves and other vegetation. They feed on a variety of plants, including honeysuckle, violets, and petunias.
When they’re ready to pupate, caterpillars spin silk cocoons, in which they transform into chrysalises. Depending on the species, chrysalises can be green, brown, or even bright pink! After about two weeks inside the cocoon, the adult moth emerges.
Adult hummingbird moths are strong flyers and can hover like hummingbirds while they sip nectar from flowers using their long proboscises (tongues).
They are typically active during the day and are attracted to light at night. Most species only live for a few weeks as adults before laying eggs to start the cycle anew.
Do Hummingbird Moths Eat from Hummingbird Feeders?
No, hummingbird moths do not eat from hummingbird feeders. These insects are attracted to the sugary nectar that is produced by flowers.
While they may hover near hummingbird feeders, they will not drink from them.
Hummingbird Moth facts
Where Do Hummingbird Moths Live?
Most hummingbird moths are found in North America, with a few species in Europe and Asia. In North America, they are found east of the Rockies from southern Canada to Mexico. They are also found in the western United States, including California.
The majority of hummingbird moths are active during the day, although there are a few that are active at night.
They feed on nectar from flowers using their long proboscis (tongue). Some of the more common flowers they visit include honeysuckle, petunia, phlox, and verbena.
When not feeding or resting, hummingbird moths can be seen flying rapidly back and forth as they search for food or mates. Their wings make a characteristic “humming” sound as they beat up to 80 times per second!
Conclusion
The average lifespan of a hummingbird moth is around 7 months. However, there are reports of some individual moths living up to one year in captivity. In the wild, the life expectancy of these creatures is probably shorter due to predation and other factors.
Nevertheless, it is clear that these fascinating insects can enjoy a relatively long life span if conditions are favorable.