They are sometimes called Hummingbird Moth...

Ah! Lovely shot of this moth.

Wow Lori..and theres you giving us such credit lol. What a brilliant pic of a stunning insect !Beautiful arent they.

Pure happenstance, Jane. But thanks! I was debating whether to go for the camera...I was sure it would be gone by the time I got back...but lucky me..he found an untapped monarda petal and slurped long enough for me to get four shots... They are beautiful..and very odd... their little wings make a hum like the hummingbird... the first time I saw it I didn't want to believe my eyes...I thought it was a miniature hummingbird or a very mutated bee!!!. Apparently they "trapline"...that's frontier talk for having a route and appearing in the same places, at the same time of day, as long as the food supply holds out!

Fascinating info Lori.....would have been entranced to see.Not been lucky enough to see one here...probably too far up north ! Never mind ...can enjoy your lovely photos instead.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macroglossum_stellatarum
Check this out, Jane. I think you'll be surprised.

You have me so exited that I forgot to 'like' these photos & had to backtrack! Just wonderful!

It all happened so fast, GZ... from start to finish the photo "session" only lasted about 2 minutes!

Lori:

What a great shot! Love it!

We have a type of Hummingbird moth here also. A couple years back they were everywhere.

I suppose their populations go in cycles... I know that the "army worms" that can strip whole areas of forest in their march across country, appear tohave a seven year cycle.

Lori:

I guess that means in another 5 years we should have many of these great months around again.

will have to take another look at the web pages on these moths...to know for sure. P.S.: I had a look around but could find no mention of cyclical population explosions!

Hi Lori - check out the bug guide page at http://bugguide.net/node/view/2638

Thanks Grammazoo.... just checked it out and it looks like (according to Bug Guide) this pic is of a Hemaris thysbe! or maybe H. diffinus. Was stunned by the array of Hemaris moths... and the colours, too. Thanks for the link.

Wow, what a catch Lori ! Spectacular close-up friend !

I have seen these on the tellly, they really are something arent they !

Lol....I was blessed, what can I say? Thanks my flower crazy friend...
Do they have these moths in Aussieland, Pip c?

I don't think so.