Pink-Spotted Hawk Moth

October 15, 2010 by Sherry

This large Pink-Spotted Hawkmoth (Agrius cingulata) moth has been visiting a window box filled with petunias on my porch almost every night this past week. This is the largest hummingbird moth I have ever seen, with a wingspan of almost 5 inches, it is truly bigger than a hummingbird! It is very friendly and hovered around me while I took these photographs last night. These moths have abdomens with distinct black and pink stripes, and a very long proboscis. They nectar on deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus) and petunias. Adults are very strong and fast fliers and, according to enature.com, can fly up to 30 mph! Caterpillar hosts include paw paw trees, Sweet Potato and jimsonweed (all of which are abundant here). Click photos to enlarge and view this beautiful moth.

Closeup of pink and black stripes

In flight

Look at the proboscis as this moth nectars on a petunia

Posted in insects, nature, Photo of the day, Photos | Tagged Agrius cingulata, hummingbird moth, insects, night flying, Pink Spotted Hawk Moth | 8 Comments

8 Responses

on October 20, 2010 at 6:50 am | Reply kateri

Wow, that is a beautiful moth! Fabulous photos of it! Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. I will have to come back and explore yours. Looks like you have some beautiful photos.
- on October 21, 2010 at 10:56 pm | Reply Sherry
  
  Hi kateri,
  
  Thank you! You’re welcome also, I enjoyed viewing your blog. I added you to my blogroll and will definitely be a regular visitor!
  
  -Sherry
on October 20, 2010 at 11:26 am | Reply Jim

Those are incredible pictures, Sherry. Thanks for posting because I saw a critter like this up here in CT and didn’t know what it was. Well, I knew it was a moth but not what kind. And it was very large. The picture of the proboscis is fascinating! How incredibly specialized nature is. WOW!!!!!!
- on October 21, 2010 at 10:55 pm | Reply Sherry
  
  Thanks, Jim. Glad you could identify your moth by these pictures. It was startling how large this one was!
  
  Thanks for commenting,
  Sherry
on September 27, 2011 at 6:22 pm | Reply Alicia

i have just found one of those beautiful creatures on my garage door.
- on September 28, 2011 at 1:11 am | Reply Sherry
  
  Hi Alicia,
  They sure are beautiful! I’ve only seen one of these large moths this year, at night in my garden. I wish there were more of them! Thanks for commenting,
  Sherry
on November 10, 2011 at 7:46 pm | Reply wanda

i saw this wonderful,scary creature feeding late afternoon today. a small gruop of us stood transfixed until it flew away. thank you for the lovely pictures could you believe nobody’s phonw cameras worked? wanda in n.c..
- on November 10, 2011 at 11:46 pm | Reply Sherry
  
  Hi Wanda,
  lol– yes I can believe it about the phone camera. It never fails that I don’t even have my camera with me when I see something awesome..lol
  
  Glad you got to see one of these gorgeous creatures.
  
  -Sherry