This is the North American variety, so probably not a true humming bird moth... but that is what I call them - is there a group name?
I've always wanted some of these in the garden, and I think our butterfly bush finally succeeded in attracting one!
Got a few shots of the little guy hovering from flower to flower... although they never land, as close as I could see they always clamp down with one or two legs to anchor themselves as they hover.
Question is.... what are the things on the close up on the moth's "tongue" (proboscis)? Anyone know?
The outline looks about right for flower thrips... but wouldn't these be much larger. Can't imagine that the moths proboscis is much over 1/4 millimeter across, and the creatures on it over 1mm.
It'll make for an interesting math exercise, I'll ruler-it off in photoshop in one of the 1:1 shots and get a better estimate of large they are.
This is a clearwing moth. Not sure which one exactly but I think it is a clearwing hawk moth. There are many varieties in North America.Not sure about microscopic ones on the tongue.
