Author Topic: This Big Bug?  (Read 1215 times)

Offline LowRyter

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 16685
  • Location: Edmond OK
This Big Bug?
« on: October 20, 2021, 01:51:28 PM »
In early August I was taking photos at the hummingbird feeder and this big bug came along to feed.  It's about 3/4 the size of a hummingbird with a thick body.  At some glances it resembles a hummingbird.  I've never seen something like this, I wonder if anyone knows  what it is?





John L 
When life gets you down remember it's one down and the rest are up.  (1-N-23456)

Offline pehayes

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 4570
    • Falcone Touring
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2021, 02:00:26 PM »
Check out a Hummingbird Hawk Moth.  Diurnal, hovers, nectar feeding.  First time I saw them in Italy I freaked knowing that hummers are New World only.

https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/humming-bird-hawk-moth

also

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphingidae

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA
« Last Edit: October 20, 2021, 02:21:46 PM by pehayes »

Offline Mayor_of_BBQ

  • Instagram: @Mayor_of_BBQ
  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 3618
  • 'Ever thus to deadbeats, Lebowski'
  • Location: Asheville, NC
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2021, 02:24:26 PM »
yep, hummingbird moth...  I haven't seen any around my feeders, but I get some big European Hornets around the feeders that scare away the hummingbirds.  I keep a flyswatter hanging on a nail by the door so I can wack'em. They are super docile, but I dont like them intimidating the hummingbirds!
Chad (Shadrach) in Asheville NC
1979 LeMans CX-100 (battle axe)
2007 Breva 1100 (Sport 1200 tribute)

Online Dirk_S

  • www.dirkshearer.com
  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 1506
  • Doodler of doodles
    • www.DirkShearer.com
  • Location: Portland, Maine, U.S.
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2021, 02:41:52 PM »
Saw a hummingbird moth up here earlier this summer--first time seeing one in New Hampshire!
Current: ‘16 Guzzi V7 II Stone, ‘78 BMW R80/7

Previous: ‘15 Ural Gear Up, ‘77 Kawasaki KZ400 Special, ‘78 Honda CX500S, ‘80 Honda CX500D, ‘11 Suzuki TU250X

Wildguzzi.com

Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2021, 02:41:52 PM »

Offline Guzzi Gal

  • MOTO GUZZI~Because your heart is in the bike, and the bike is in your heart. ~Huzo~
  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 1686
    • Sonoran Sunriders, YouTube
  • Location: Phoenix, AZ.
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2021, 03:51:18 PM »
I know them as the Sphinx moth. We get their gigantic caterpillars in our courtyard sometimes. Luckily, we don't have any tomatoes for them to decimate.
:bow: Thanks for enabling my MG obsession! :bow:
"Anni" '17 Moto Guzzi V7 III Anniversario #220/1000,
"Velvet" '16 Honda CTX 700,
"Brigitte", AKA "Gigi" '13 Vespa GTS 300ie,
"Grey Wind" '12 Vespa GTS 300 Super,  
The twin '16 Honda Metropolitans
"Miri" and Mori"

Online Dirk_S

  • www.dirkshearer.com
  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 1506
  • Doodler of doodles
    • www.DirkShearer.com
  • Location: Portland, Maine, U.S.
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2021, 04:08:11 PM »
I know them as the Sphinx moth. We get their gigantic caterpillars in our courtyard sometimes. Luckily, we don't have any tomatoes for them to decimate.

Didn’t realize that hummingbird moths were a common name for multiple types of moths including hawk and Sphinx moths until you commented that, had to investigate further…

https://www.hummingbirdcentral.com/hummingbird-moth.htm

Current: ‘16 Guzzi V7 II Stone, ‘78 BMW R80/7

Previous: ‘15 Ural Gear Up, ‘77 Kawasaki KZ400 Special, ‘78 Honda CX500S, ‘80 Honda CX500D, ‘11 Suzuki TU250X

Offline LowRyter

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 16685
  • Location: Edmond OK
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2021, 04:18:36 PM »
Hummingbird Moth?  Wow, never heard of it.  Wiki says that they are native to Eurasia but I found a site that confirms all said here.  I suppose I can blame this thing for my poor tomato crop this year?  (My wife did kill lots of caterpillars.)

Well done and thanks.  I suppose I'm fortunate I got the photos despite the poor quality. 
John L 
When life gets you down remember it's one down and the rest are up.  (1-N-23456)

Online Turin

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 5146
    • crap and stuff
  • Location: Chandler, Arizona
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #7 on: October 20, 2021, 05:21:30 PM »
A Mothra thread... fantastic! I saw a lot of them this summer. Tracy is quite the gardener ( peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, onions, garlic, potatos, parsley, cat nip etc.) and it draws in all kinds of creepy crawlies. We get a lot of tomato horn worms / hawk moths.
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline Chuck in Indiana

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 29445
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2021, 05:57:23 PM »
I was a bug guy when I was a kid. 4H, and all that. Looks like a Spinx Moth to me..
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
87 AeroLario
95 Skorpion tour
22 Royal Enfield Classic 3 fiddy
 "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
Albert Einstein

Online bad Chad

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 9551
  • Location: Central Il
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #9 on: October 20, 2021, 08:46:12 PM »
I see lots of them in IL, they are a bit creepy!
2007 Breva 1100  Red Arrow (and faster than yours!)
2016 CSC 250TT Zongshen
2017 V9 Roamer

Offline LowRyter

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 16685
  • Location: Edmond OK
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2021, 08:52:34 PM »
Looks like whatever moth it really is, Hawk, Hummingbird, Sphinx, etc., it's been id'd with lots of different names.   

It's a big ass Moth.   :grin:

Thanks!
John L 
When life gets you down remember it's one down and the rest are up.  (1-N-23456)

Online JJ

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 19635
  • Life is meant to ENJOY...not "endure."
  • Location: Village of Oak Creek, Arizona
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #11 on: October 20, 2021, 08:53:15 PM »
I know them as the Sphinx moth. We get their gigantic caterpillars in our courtyard sometimes. Luckily, we don't have any tomatoes for them to decimate.

Yes...we also have them up here in northern AZ... :wink: :cool: :thumb: :smiley:

We have several "Butterfly Bushes" on our property and they feed on the honey-like nectar on these purple flowers....









Life Member: MGNOC L-772, AMA, HOG
'98 V10 Centauro GT
Village of Oak Creek, AZ

Offline redrider90

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 2448
  • Location: NC
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #12 on: October 20, 2021, 09:01:21 PM »
yep, hummingbird moth...  I haven't seen any around my feeders, but I get some big European Hornets around the feeders that scare away the hummingbirds.  I keep a flyswatter hanging on a nail by the door so I can wack'em. They are super docile, but I dont like them intimidating the hummingbirds!

I was so mad that the yellow jackets wouldn't let the hummers feed that I set up my shop vac and just rested it on the railing of the deck right up against the feeder. I'd just bump the feeder and let the jackets fly around all up set. Sooner or later they flew past the intake and they were history.  After a few days of sucking up all the Yellow Jackets they didn't come back for a week. Then I did it again and again about once a week for the last month of feeding season.
Red 90 Mille GT

Online rschrum

  • Gaggle Mentor
  • ****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 598
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #13 on: October 20, 2021, 09:35:10 PM »
They like our 4 o'clocks.
15 GRISO
00 ZX12r
07 Tuono Factory
01 ZRX 1200R
19 Monster 1200R
2012 MV Agusta Brutale 1090R
08 Ducati s4rs Tricolore
22 Indian FTR Championship
Central Iowa

Online nc43bsa

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 1353
  • Location: Mooresville NC
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #14 on: October 20, 2021, 09:41:55 PM »




As moths go, they're kinda pretty.
1990 MilleGT

Offline Chuck in Indiana

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 29445
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #15 on: October 21, 2021, 08:11:45 AM »
^^^^^^Most moths are.
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
87 AeroLario
95 Skorpion tour
22 Royal Enfield Classic 3 fiddy
 "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
Albert Einstein

Offline Mayor_of_BBQ

  • Instagram: @Mayor_of_BBQ
  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 3618
  • 'Ever thus to deadbeats, Lebowski'
  • Location: Asheville, NC
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #16 on: October 21, 2021, 08:30:25 AM »
^^^^^^Most moths are.



This sleepy handsome feller roosted near this same spot for about 3 nights this summer
Chad (Shadrach) in Asheville NC
1979 LeMans CX-100 (battle axe)
2007 Breva 1100 (Sport 1200 tribute)

Offline LowRyter

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 16685
  • Location: Edmond OK
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #17 on: October 21, 2021, 09:08:18 AM »
My photo was a total match to what JJ found on the 'net.
John L 
When life gets you down remember it's one down and the rest are up.  (1-N-23456)

Online JJ

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 19635
  • Life is meant to ENJOY...not "endure."
  • Location: Village of Oak Creek, Arizona
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #18 on: October 21, 2021, 09:40:37 AM »
We had one of these land above our doorstep a few years ago..."The Deaths-Head-Moth"  :rolleyes: :shocked: :huh:

(Kinda creepy...and many believe it's arrival is a sign of very bad luck...but I am still here!) :laugh: :grin: :wink:



Life Member: MGNOC L-772, AMA, HOG
'98 V10 Centauro GT
Village of Oak Creek, AZ

Offline sib

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 1744
  • Location: Smallest state, 221 times smaller than Texas, often compared to the size of an oil slick, forest fire, or ice sheet
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #19 on: October 21, 2021, 09:55:21 AM »


This sleepy handsome feller roosted near this same spot for about 3 nights this summer
Luna Moth, beautiful creatures.  I had one rest on my west wall a few years ago.
Current: 2021 V7 Stone E5
Previous: 2016 V7II Stone
Previous: 2013 V7 Stone
Several decades ago: 1962? Honda CB77 Super Hawk

Online nc43bsa

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 1353
  • Location: Mooresville NC
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #20 on: October 21, 2021, 01:47:37 PM »
We had one of these land above our doorstep a few years ago..."The Deaths-Head-Moth"  :rolleyes: :shocked: :huh:

(Kinda creepy...and many believe it's arrival is a sign of very bad luck...but I am still here!) :laugh: :grin: :wink:





Be on the lookout for Jame Gumb!! 
1990 MilleGT

Online Turin

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 5146
    • crap and stuff
  • Location: Chandler, Arizona
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #21 on: October 21, 2021, 08:58:46 PM »
JJ puts the lotion on his skin...
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline Ncdan

  • Global Moderator
  • Gaggle Hero
  • *
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 5878
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #22 on: October 21, 2021, 09:20:02 PM »
JJ puts the lotion on his skin...
You ain’t  got one on me Turin.
Buffalo Bill, Silence of the Lambs 👍

Online JJ

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 19635
  • Life is meant to ENJOY...not "endure."
  • Location: Village of Oak Creek, Arizona
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #23 on: October 22, 2021, 07:17:17 AM »
You ain’t  got one on me Turin.
Buffalo Bill, Silence of the Lambs 👍

That was one, very dark and creepy movie...:rolleyes: :shocked: :huh:
Life Member: MGNOC L-772, AMA, HOG
'98 V10 Centauro GT
Village of Oak Creek, AZ

Offline DougG

  • Gaggle Mentor
  • ****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 524
  • Location: Adirondack Mts., NY...Blue Ridge Mts., NC
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #24 on: October 22, 2021, 10:59:00 AM »
Hi Low,                                                                                             10-22-21

Not trying to steal the thread!

It brings back memories as a young kid, when my Mom and Dad took us to the drive in.  Double feature...Mothra and Rodan in the early 60's.  I didn't sleep for two nights after that.

Be well, stay well,
DougG
A possum playing possum is no big deal.  Find one that can play giraffe, now you got yourself something!

Online JJ

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 19635
  • Life is meant to ENJOY...not "endure."
  • Location: Village of Oak Creek, Arizona
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #25 on: October 22, 2021, 01:09:36 PM »
Hi Low,                                                                                             10-22-21

Not trying to steal the thread!

It brings back memories as a young kid, when my Mom and Dad took us to the drive in.  Double feature...Mothra and Rodan in the early 60's.  I didn't sleep for two nights after that.

Be well, stay well,
DougG

Remember those two very well!! :thumb: :bow: :wink: :cool: :boozing: :smiley:





Life Member: MGNOC L-772, AMA, HOG
'98 V10 Centauro GT
Village of Oak Creek, AZ

Offline LowRyter

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 16685
  • Location: Edmond OK
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #26 on: October 22, 2021, 03:45:58 PM »
Hi Low,                                                                                             10-22-21

Not trying to steal the thread!

It brings back memories as a young kid, when my Mom and Dad took us to the drive in.  Double feature...Mothra and Rodan in the early 60's.  I didn't sleep for two nights after that.

Be well, stay well,
DougG

This thread got done on the first couple of replies.   Feel free make it a jam session.  I may or may not check back but certainly don't mind.
John L 
When life gets you down remember it's one down and the rest are up.  (1-N-23456)

Offline DougG

  • Gaggle Mentor
  • ****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 524
  • Location: Adirondack Mts., NY...Blue Ridge Mts., NC
Re: This Big Bug?
« Reply #27 on: October 22, 2021, 06:47:13 PM »
 :thumb:

Be well, stay well,
DougG
A possum playing possum is no big deal.  Find one that can play giraffe, now you got yourself something!

***Wildguzzi Official Logo High Quality 5 Color Window Decals Back In Stock***
Shipping in USA Only. Awesome quality. Back by popular demand. All proceeds go back into the forum.
http://www.wildguzzi.com/Products/products.htm
Advertise Here
 

20 Ounce Stainless Steel Double Insulated Tumbler
Buy a quality tumbler and support the forum at the same time!
Better than a YETI! BPA and Lead free.
Advertise Here