www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Just rediscovered this rather shaky video I took of what I presume is a moth in Menorca. It was a lot bigger than the Hummingbird Hawk appearing briefly at the end.
Would love to know what it was

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR-qFSUdWaU

Hi Dave,
It is difficult to tell, but it looks like a Convolvulus hawkmoth to me...
PS: You have filmed a second (smaller) insect for the final couple of seconds... and that one does look like a Hummingbird Hawkmoth

Trev

Now I've looked at that has the right feel about it, the only thing is this was the middle of the day, would the Convulvulus be out then?

Dave R wrote:Now I've looked at that has the right feel about it, the only thing is this was the middle of the day, would the Convolvulus be out then?

Yes, I agree on the Convolulous Hawk for the larger insect. By stop-starting the frames, one or two frozen images show the distinctive abdominal markings and the bands on the hindwings typical of the Convolvulus Hawk.

The Striped Hawk flies in bright sunshine frequently in warmer countries so possibly other larger Hawks do too.

In captivity, I have had the Death's Head Hawk fly in daylight of its own accord. This large moth's power of controlled flight is awesome ... When controlled hovering, the power pulses of the Death's Head wings in repeated short bursts needed in a confined space makes a very distinct and loud noise.

For years when I was breeding this moth, the short stubby proboscis puzzled me. I hand fed the breeding adults on honey. I was aware of the relationship with Bee Hives but it was not until I saw some BBC's TV footage of this Moth diving into the huge open hives of the world's largest honey bee that the true mastery of flight was revealed. These massive 'open' hives hang from high tree branches or high on a cliff face and local people risk more that possibly deadly stings to rob these large powerful bees of their honey. The Death's Head enters this very dangerous hive swiftly and immediately disappears through the thousands of bees which cover their precious open hive ... emerging to fly away when the moth has had its fill of the honey. Remarkable footage. The moth is large and using that size as a guide to the size of the bees, they are also very much larger than the honey bees we see working on our garden flowers.

Fabulous moths the hawks. Our own common Elephant Hawk being one of the most beautiful in both colouring and shape of all the world's moths.
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