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Home > Home & Garden > Lawn & Garden   »   Mystery bug?

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Old Jul 24, 2006, 12:43 PM
randyshoe
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Mystery bug?
This bug/bird/insect has been flying around our butterfly bushes for the past few weeks. Any ideas on what it could be. We are stumped bc it appears to be a hummingbird/butterfly type specie but up close it looks like a lobster! We would love some insight.

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Old Jul 24, 2006, 01:03 PM   #2  
RickJ
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That shape is classic hummingbird. See scads of them here.

If it was "hovering" like a hummingbird does, then I'd bet a dollar to a donut that it is one.

What city do you live in or near? That would help narrow down exactly what it is.

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Thomas1970 agrees: You were close. :)
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Old Jul 24, 2006, 01:16 PM   #3  
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I can't really tell -- the photo is not so sharp, but it might be a clearwing moth that has the means of drinking nectar like a hummingbird? Just a thought. Moths can grow to the size of small birds too. Are there any apparent legs on it and if so how many?

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RickJ agrees: Good eye...Bingo!!
Thomas1970 agrees: Good call. :)
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Old Jul 24, 2006, 01:16 PM   #4  
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We live in Rhode Island. We weren't sure if it was a hummingbird because it appears to have 6-8 legs! We have yet to find another hummingbird like this in our searches! Thanks.
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Old Jul 24, 2006, 01:18 PM   #5  
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It IS a clear winged moth!!!! we found the exact match on yahoo images! Thanks.

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RickJ agrees: Excellent! Glad you found it!
Thomas1970 agrees: Excellent job. :)
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Old Jul 24, 2006, 03:48 PM   #6  
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Makes me very happy to realise that all the really irrelevent stuff I know isn't totally without benefit here LOL...YIPPEE!
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Old Jul 24, 2006, 09:06 PM   #7  
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It is indeed a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth. Specifically a male. I live in CT, close to the RI border, and they are indeed common, given the right plant. Here is the female from my own photographic work.
The plant this one is on, Bee Balm, is a particular favorite, where they congregate in great numbers during full bloom.
Great job in capturing it! Certainly one of the hardest things I've ever photographed myself.
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Old Jul 25, 2006, 01:51 AM   #8  
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That's a gorgeous shot of an awesome moth. If it were me I'd be planting more of whatever they love most to attract more of them. Too cool.
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Old Jul 25, 2006, 02:36 AM   #9  
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Spectacular Thomas!
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Old Jul 25, 2006, 03:56 AM   #10  
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Hi Rick and Val,
Thanks. I wish I had the property for a proper garden down here. Up at my last place in MA, I had a fairly extensive garden that included bee balm, though curiously I never saw a single one. That photo was taken at a local Audubon preserve, something of my second home down here.
Thanks again.
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