Strange large hornet type, hover insect, what could it have been?

[scarymonster]

Hi all,

I was in the garden yesterday (beautiful day) and a large insect flew past me and hovered around the honey suckle.

It was hornet sized, which at first alarmed me, but the front half was a light colour, perhaps almost white and the back half dark and it had a very fast wing beat that hummed as it flew past me with a deep hum. It had a curled feeding tube (sorry do not know the scientific name) which I presume is to get inside the flowers.

One way of describing it would be like a cross between a hornet and a very tiny humming bird.

Once I had focussed and realised this was something I had not seen before it was gone in a flash after probably detecting I was close.

Any ideas?

[Gill Catton]

how about a hummingbird hawkmoth, seems a bit early for them but the year is whizzing past so maybe!

Or maybe narrow-bordered bee hawkmoth....... though I don't know if these hover as you describe.

[htcdude]

How about a Hummingbird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)


Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum - UKMoths

Nige

[scarymonster]

After looking at the pictures that's exactly what is was. Never seen one of those before.

I don't feel so daft now for mentioning the word hummingbird.

Thanks guys.

[Gill Catton]

lovely insects always a special thing to spot I think.