Sphinx moths & hummingbirds

April 10, 2007


White-lined sphinx moth on bulbine

The sphinx moths have appeared. Nearly the size of a hummingbird, and with similar aeronautical abilities, these moths always interest me. They have several evocative aliases: hawk moth and hummingbird moth.

While I was cutting back the spent blooms on the bulbine this morning, I noticed the moth down in the plant, clinging to a stem. I got close enough to see it move, but several hours later it’s still there, so I’m not sure how healthy it is. Maybe it’s just waiting for dusk. That’s when I usually spot them in action around the salvias.

Yesterday I saw the first hummingbird as well. It zipped past me in the back garden. It’s too early for the hummers’ favorite flowers—Turk’s cap, lantana, vitex—but there must be something around for them to eat. I don’t put up feeders—too much trouble—but I do plant flowers that I know will attract them. Hummingbirds are delightful creatures to have in a garden.

2 responses to “Sphinx moths & hummingbirds”

  1. Susan says:

    Pam — I saw one of those moths a few weeks ago, although I can’t remember which plant it was on. I thought it was a hummingbird at first but it let me get close enough to see that it wasn’t. I haven’t seen any hummingbirds yet this year but just the other day I was remembering the glut of hummers I had last year and hoping for a repeat this year.

    On another topic, do you ever have problems with powdery mildew on your roses? If so, what’s your solution/approach? I think my roses, especially Old Blush, which is huge and dense and planted in front of a stockade fence, don’t get enough air circulation. I read somewhere that cool nights and warmer days are another culprit and in past years warmer nighttime temps have seemed to solve the problem. But in the meantime the foliage — and even the blooms — aren’t looking too good.

    — Susan

    Mine get pretty good air circulation by the wire fence out front. The ‘Marie Pavie’ in back is partly shaded by the Mexican plum, but it seems fine (I’d read that it could take a little shade). This year I’m having trouble with ‘Valentine,’ the red rose by the garage wall. It’s looked a bit sickly for the past couple of weeks, and fertilizing didn’t seem to help. It’s blooming, but the color is off on some of the roses and the leaves look spindly. I’m not sure what’s wrong and am just waiting it out. It’s the first trouble I’ve had with the old roses. They’re worth it though. Good luck with yours too. —Pam

  2. Ki says:

    Pam, your penstemons grow much taller than ours ever did! The hawk moth is enormous too. Ours are about 1/2 the size. Must be Texas.

    Could be! 🙂 —Pam