Sphinx moths at the pond

[dperry]

I video-recorded several sphinx moths, also called hawk moths and hummingbird moths, two days ago at my pond.  At the end of the video portion are some still that my wife took.  These interesting insects are often mistaken for hummingbirds.  At the end of the video one of the moths gets eaten by a frog, much to my surprise.  I  didn't even see the frog as I concentrated on the moths.

http://youtu.be/T_lDT3o1MLw

Don Perry

[Kittyzee]

That's great video! Did you know that those moths are from the caterpillar that you find on your tomato plants~the green horn tomato worm? I don't kill them anymore, I remove the stem that they are on and lay it in the pasture.  Of course if the worm is covered in little white eggs from the parasitic wasp, I don't have to worry anyway.  The bodies of those moths are so big, it's easy to think people mistake them for hummingbirds. Thanks for sharing Don.

[miguynmkoi]

I have way too many of these moths in my garden this year....caterpillars are all over my tomatoes... they make a hardy meal for my turtles though!