...using the logic of ecology

hummingbird moths in italy

"WOW! Was it a bird, was it a plane- was it a hummingbird?"

I have been asked, time and time again, What is that insect, is it a hummingbird? by the guests that come and stay at our holiday houses here in Tuscany. They were all referring to a curious creature that flits, with great speed, from flower to flower and hovers, effortlessly, while its long proboscis (feeding tube) reaches deep into the flowers of nectar-bearing plants

The elusive creature is in actual fact was a member of the hawk moth family that begins feeding towards sunset and some species continue feeding for most of the night. Although the European hawk moth can be found throughout the continent, and there are many species. The hummingbird moth is particularly common in Italy where it can often be seen refuelling with 'aviation fuel' (nectar) from common Med plants such as lavender or catmint (which it truly adores!)

I have spent many evenings (glass of red-wine in hand) admiring the flying skills and speed of this amazing insect as it zooms around my garden, visiting every suitable flower- with excruciating precision. However some species of this creature have obtained a more sinister image throughout history due to the strange markings on the thorax of the deaths-head hawk moth there which appears to be a skull and crossbones.

Because of its size (it is the largest European moth), its markings and its ability to make quite an unexpected loud shrill, the Death's-head hawk moth has been an object of folklore, terror and persecution throughout history.

It must be said however that the much-loved European hummingbird hawk moth's most sinister claim to fame is simply to steal a bit of honey from bee-hives every now and then and the hummingbird moth is not dangerous in anyway. Maybe now we can refrain from making the classic mistake of saying ...

"Gee! I had no idea that you had hummingbirds here in Italy!"