Bee That Looks Like A Hummingbird -What Is It?

Dear BuzzAboutBees

Today, I saw a bee that looks and hovers like a hummingbird.  Can you tell me what it is?

Melissa

I have received these queries and similar both from the UK and the USA, so I thought it was time I wrote about this beautiful insect species.

What Is This Bee That Looks Like A Hummingbird

In fact, this is not a type of bee, but if you live in the UK, it may be a fascinating type of Hawk-moth (or if you are in the USA, you may call it a Hummingbird moth).

I am personally familiar with the Hummingbird Hawk-moth, Macroglossum stellatarum which has visited our climbing Jasmine.  It's a migratory species, and is most visible in the UK from June. 

This species may be seen visiting gardens on sunny days, but also woodlands.  It is one of the few day active moths of the Sphingidae moth family¹.

Whilst Macroglossum stellatarum may breed in the UK, it is thought that winters are generally too cool, with only a few individuals overwintering in Britain in milder winters². 

Interestingly, while most hawkmoth species hibernate as pupae, Macroglossum stellatarum hibernate as 'imagines'¹ ('imago' is the name given to the adult stage of an insect).

The green caterpillars can be found from June to October.

Flight 

'Hummingbird' within the common (or colloquial) name for these lovely moths is very appropriate.

Indeed, taking decent photographs of this enchanting creature can be quite a challenge, owing to its darting, hovering flight, accompanied by rapid wing-beat (wing span: 50 - 58mm for this species³).

Fortunately, decent images are relatively easy to acquire to supplement my own pretty poor ones!

If you haven't witnessed these gorgeous moths in action, do watch the video on this page!  Look out for them foraging foraging on Buddleia, Jasmine, and Red valerian and honeysuckle.

Look out for the out-stretched tongue (proboscis - which measures about 25 mm long in M. stellatarum¹) as it probes flowers for nectar which provides vital food. 

The proboscis may also be seen curled when in mid flight and when not feeding, or about to feed.

Similar species

There are other Hawk-moth species that may be seen foraging on flowers that may also be compared with a hummingbird, but also a bee, for example the Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth, Hemaris fuciformis.

References

1.Stöckl AL, Kelber A. Fuelling on the wing: sensory ecology of hawkmoth foraging. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol. 2019 Jun;205(3):399-413. doi: 10.1007/s00359-019-01328-2. Epub 2019 Mar 18. PMID: 30880349; PMCID: PMC6579779.

2. The RSPB - 'Hummingbird hawkmoths in the UK'.

3. Brock, Paul D: Britain's Insects - A Field Guide To The Insects Of Great Britain And Ireland Princeton University Press WILDguides, 2021, ISBN: 9780691179278.