- English Name: Hummingbird hawk-moth
- Scientific Name: Macroglossum stellatarum
- Spanish Name: Esfinge colibrí
Mostly Diurnal, the Hummingbird hawk-moth – Macroglossum stellatarum – Esfinge colibrí prefers to fly in bright sunlight but it will also take wing at dawn, at dusk or at night; in rain, or on cool, dull days. They shy away from very hot weather with activity then confined to the relative cool of the morning and late afternoon.
The species is named for its similarity to hummingbirds, as they feed on the nectar of tube-shaped flowers using their long proboscis while hovering in the air; this resemblance is an example of convergent evolution. (Evolution of similar features in species of different periods or epochs in time. Wikipedia )
The glossy pale green ova (eggs) are spherical and look like the flower buds of the host plant Galium (bedstraw). Up to 200 eggs are laid by the female, each on a separate plant and the caterpillars hatch after about a week.
Further reading about Hummingbird hawk-moth – Macroglossum stellatarum – Esfinge colibrí
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird_hawk-moth
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I’ve been living in western Andalucía for more than 20 years and spend much of my time researching and running English-language travel websites about Spain. My work covers destinations including Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema and the Caminito del Rey, as well as Wildside Holidays, which focuses on walking, wildlife and nature travel in Spain.
Through Wildside Holidays, I share practical information about Spain’s natural parks, mountains, wildlife and walking destinations, drawing on many years of living and travelling in the country. The aim is to help visitors discover Spain’s natural landscapes responsibly and plan rewarding walking and wildlife experiences.