Sphinx Moth Foraging #2

The White-Lined Sphinx Moth (Hiles lineata), a member of the family Sphingidae, is sometimes called a Hummingbird Moth, because it feeds by... more

by Morris Finkelstein

Title

Sphinx Moth Foraging #2

Artist

Morris Finkelstein

Medium

Photograph

Description

The White-Lined Sphinx Moth (Hiles lineata), a member of the family Sphingidae, is sometimes called a Hummingbird Moth, because it feeds by collecting nectar from flowers using its long proboscis while hovering and displays rapid flight patterns. They have narrow forewings with wingspans of about 2 to 3 inches. They may be found throughout North America and Central America. This large moth is mostly dark brown, has a tan stripe running the length of its wings, and has a pink median stripe in the middle of its hindwings. Habitats may include gardens, and deserts. According to Mr. Steve Buback, a Natural History Biologist at the Missouri Department of Conservation, “this species is a day-flying sphinx moth seen in gardens and more natural areas of the State (of Missouri). The caterpillars feed on a wide variety of plants including primrose, four o’clocks, wild grape, and Virginia creeper, but the adults are even less selective, and will visit about anything in bloom that produces nectar.” Many thanks to Paul Moffett and Ray Whitt for preliminary identification, and to Mr. Steve Buback for confirming the positive identification of 'Hiles lineata'. This is a new species for me to see and to photograph, which I find exciting!

This Sphinx Moth collecting nectar from Firewitch (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) flowers in a friend’s garden was photographed with a Nikon D850 camera body and a Nikkor 600mm f/4.0E FL ED VR2 telephoto lens on 10-3-2022. Settings: 1/2500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 400. Firewitch Dianthus is a perennial evergreen that has fragrant magenta-pink flowers that are visited by bees, butterflies, and moths.

I am honored that my photograph was featured in the Fine Art America groups:
Animals, 10-7-2022
A Gorgeous Green - Nature And Photography, 10-11-2022
Macro Marvels, 10-11-2022
New FAA Uploads, 10-11-2022
Bugs Bugs And More Bugs, 10-18-2022
Nikon Full Frame Cameras, 10-22-2022
Midwest America Photography, 10-24-2022
Four Seasons, 9-27-2023
Glimpses Of Autumn, 9-28-2023
Wildlife One-A-Day, 9-30-2023
Real Animal Photographs, 10-5-2023
Fine Art America Flowers Photography, 3-27-2024
Your Best Work, 2-28-2024

KEYWORDS: sphinx moth foraging #2, sphinx moth, white-lined sphinx moth, hiles lineata, family sphingidae, moth, moths, insect, flying insect, bug, animal, nature, natural, wild, wildlife, outdoors, wings, antennae, brown, tan, white, pink, stripes, hovering, flying, flight, feeding, foraging, firewitch, dianthus gratianopolitanus, flowers, blooms, nectar, pink, magenta, midwest, midwestern, autumn, fall, st. charles, missouri, morris finkelstein, photograph, horizontal, digital, action, portrait, close up, nikon d850, photography

Uploaded

October 4th, 2022