It has finally turned into a warm enough spring here for the insects to come out.
The first interesting insect I saw was a hummingbird moth.
There are quite a number of different hummingbird moths. They get this common name because they fly exactly like a hummingbird hovering next to a flower to suck their nectar while flapping their wings so fast they are a blur.
This particular species is called a Nessus Sphinx (Amphion floridensis). The two stripes on the back and the little lobster tail are features of this species.
Look at that long tongue, quite similar to that of a hummingbird beak so it can reach into the wildflower where the sweet nectar is.
I have seen a number of different hummingbird moths around here but I usually don't have my zoom lens ready. Some of the species have clear wings and are different colors. Fortunately this one let me take photos, these wild flowers must be really tasty.
Honeysuckle is blooming now making the air smell amazing. The huge bumble bees are loving it.
The lilacs are also blooming attracting more bumble bees.
This bee looks slightly different than the honeysuckle bee, it seems to have an extra stripe on its abdomen and has some interesting greenish eyes. Maybe this is a type of carpenter bee.
As I was taking pictures of the bees I noticed a millipede walking right by my feet. I'm not sure what species it is but it does resemble the one named after Taylor Swift lol.
The six spotted tiger beetles (Cicindela sexguttata) are also out now. I was quick enough to catch this one and it actually stayed still long enough for a photo on my phone. Usually they fly off super quick and you just see a metallic green streak go by.
That's all for now, thanks for looking :-)
How wonderful to see @sketch.and.jam the hummingbird moth 😁 I have seen them before, they are just cute and so fast with their wings. The sounds they make too… haven’t managed capturing one yet with a photograph. Never had one close by hahaha
Beautiful to see everything awake now 😁
Have a wonderful Monday!
They can be raised from a caterpillar and be tamed. Now I know what their larva looks like maybe I'll try it some day lol.
Aaawww that would be super cute 🥰 a tame one.
Maybe you find one, one day 😊
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Me:
Hahaha I just watch a little as it is rather a long episode. But I so see what you mean. Hahaha
We all will have them as pets 😁 pretty cool.
Thanks @ewkaw :-) maybe some of these hummingbird moths will make it to your cactus blooms.
You're welcome :)
Doubt it. I only get the pests butterflies. But I have seen them around. Coolest moth :)
Maybe you'll just get real hummingbirds instead :-)
That would be so much better :D
Cool collection! I once saw a hummingbird moth here, years ago. Have recently seen several bumblebees around the flowers.
I thought this one was a bumblebee at first from a distance because of its yellow stripes. But it's flight pattern was too fast.
wooooooow,,, that's a perfect screenshot,,
I almost ignored it because I thought it was another bumble bee, but then it turned out to be a moth instead.
Great photos. Love the bee pictures. and the flying lobster tail 🤣
Nature recycled the hummingbird and crawdad dna code on that critter.
Lets see we don't have a complete dna sequence for the dinasaur... we can just fill in with frog dna. What could go wrong 🤷♂️
Mothra can go wrong or perhaps a gamera.
That hummingbird moth is so fascinating! Great shots man :)
The caterpillars are quite common but I rarely ever get to see the moths especially one hanging around long enough for some photos.