Macroglossum stellatarum

Linnaeus, 1758

Hummingbird Hawk-moth, Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth

Macroglossum stellatarum is a hawkmoth renowned for its hovering and long-distance migratory . feed on nectar from diverse flowers using an exceptionally long , and are significant across their range. The exhibits complex visual learning capabilities and innate color preferences that guide foraging decisions. in southern Europe may be resident and , while northern populations depend on from the south.

Macroglossum stellatarum by (c) Céline, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Céline. Used under a CC-BY license.

Hummingbird hawk moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) in flight by Charles J. Sharp
. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Macroglossum stellatarum01(js) by
Jerzy Strzelecki. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Macroglossum stellatarum: /ˌmækroʊˈɡlɒsəm ˌstɛləˈtɛərəm/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other European sphingids by activity, sustained hovering , and orange visible during hovering. Resembles hummingbirds in flight but smaller with visible . Macroglossum pyrrhosticta has more uniformly dark hindwings and restricted Asian distribution. Other hovering lack the combination of orange hindwings and extremely long .

Images

Appearance

-sized with streamlined, bullet-shaped body and narrow, pointed . Forewings with dark markings; orange with dark base. Very long, thin often visible as a fine thread when feeding. thickened and clubbed at tip. In , rapid wingbeats create audible hum and blurred appearance.

Habitat

Open, flower-rich including gardens, meadows, coastal areas, and mountain valleys. In Mediterranean regions, associated with lavender and other Lamiaceae. Requires abundant nectar sources during period. Larval habitat includes areas with Galium and other Rubiaceae plants.

Distribution

Palearctic distribution across Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Resident in southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. migrants reach northern Europe including British Isles and Scandinavia. Records from Atlantic islands (Azores: Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Pico). routes cross Pyrenees via mountain passes and continue to sub-Saharan Africa.

Seasonality

active year-round in southern Mediterranean regions with peaks in May, July, and February-March indicating trivoltine . In northern Europe, adults present mainly June-September following spring northward. Autumn migration southward occurs September-October triggered by temperature decline and day length changes.

Diet

feed exclusively on nectar from flowers. length allows access to deep corolla tubes. Observed feeding on diverse including Lamiaceae (Lavandula), Rubiaceae, and ornamental . feed on Rubiaceae, primarily Galium species (bedstraws).

Host Associations

Galium - larval bedstraws (Rubiaceae)
Lavandula latifolia - nectar sourceMediterranean region
Oenothera speciosa - negative interactionnon- ; become trapped with stuck to flowers

Life Cycle

with , , , and stages. Trivoltine in southern Spain with overlapping . Eggs laid on plants. Larvae feed on Galium and related Rubiaceae. in loose soil or leaf litter. Adults emerge and may migrate or establish local depending on latitude.

Behavior

foraging with peak activity in evening (18:00-20:00 GMT) in Mediterranean summer. Sustained hovering while feeding, with rapid wingbeats enabling stationary position at flowers. maintains thoracic temperature 39-46°C across ambient temperatures 19-36°C. Innate visual preferences for (440 nm) and -green (540 nm) colors, and radial patterns over concentric patterns. Capable of associative color learning to optimize foraging. Visual position stabilization during hovering mediated by independent translational and rotational control systems with different visual field sensitivities. Long-distance using wind assistance while maintaining directional control; crosses mountain passes rather than flying over peaks.

Ecological Role

Important for diverse flowering plants, including with deep corolla tubes inaccessible to shorter-tongued . contributes to nutrient transport between and pollen transfer across large distances. In southern Spain, documented pollinator of Viola cazorlensis, enabling between isolated . Serves as food source for insectivorous birds and bats, including Tadarida teniotis in Pyrenees which times breeding to match autumn migration.

Human Relevance

Popular with naturalists and gardeners due to accessible daytime activity and hummingbird-like appearance. Valued as in gardens and agricultural settings. Subject of extensive research on vision, learning, and mechanics. Negative interaction with Oenothera speciosa in Europe poses concern due to entrapment.

Similar Taxa

Macroglossum pyrrhostictaSimilar size and hovering , but has uniformly dark without orange coloration; Asian distribution
Eristalis tenaxHovering and activity, but smaller, () with single pair of and shorter mouthparts
Deilephila elpenorAnother sphingid with hovering capability, but /, larger, with pink and olive green coloration rather than orange

More Details

Visual Physiology

Possesses trichromatic color vision with innate preferences for specific wavelengths and pattern . Color discrimination abilities vary across color space and can be modelled using sigmoidal functions. Visual learning enables rapid optimization of foraging in novel environments.

Migration Ecology

Part of a broader system through Pyrenees passes first documented by bird researchers David and Elizabeth Lack in the 1950s. Migration strategy involves low-altitude passage through mountain cols rather than high-altitude overflight, concentrating individuals and facilitating exploitation.