Hummingbird hawk - October 22

paddy · #1 (**permalink**) 23-10-2011, 09:51 AM

I've seen more 'late' HB Hawkmoths this year than ever - one really busy as the sun came out this morning on Savia 'Hotlips', which is getting close to my vote as one of the best nectar plants - very long flowering season, and popular with almost everything.
Is this just in the dry east, or anyone else seeing more of them?

naturegirl · #2 (**permalink**) 23-10-2011, 11:24 PM

Hiya Paddy!

Not seen any this year but I do work some long, strange shift patterns.

I usually see several, especially on my fuschias. Lovely that you have seen some this year, well done!

Naturegirl

JeffH · #3 (**permalink**) 24-10-2011, 07:19 AM

Haven't seen any here in Cambs for 2 - 3 years now, and it's very dry here too

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

Wild-Woman · #4 (**permalink**) 24-10-2011, 07:23 AM

We've seen more this year than we have done in a good few years. Nearly all the ones we've seen have been around gardens and not in the 'wild'. Pub gardens with plenty of hanging baskets and lots of containered flowers seem to have been popular.

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 24-10-2011, 08:51 AM

I've only seen one this year back in August as Denbies, near Dorking.

It has been a good year for them with many reports including quite a few reported recently on the migrant insect sites. It's been an incredible autumn for mothers with large numbers of rarities reported including at least one species new to the UK.

paulinemiller10 · #6 (**permalink**) 24-10-2011, 10:57 AM

I love these moths Paddy, I had one visit my garden a few years ago, I had never seen one before and thought it was a humming bird , lovely to watch them, now that people are saying there are more about I will keep an eye open for them on sunny days and see if I can get some Savia 'Hotlips' for next year. Pauline.

Littlesparrow · #7 (**permalink**) 24-10-2011, 02:55 PM

I've seen one in Cheshire and one in Hampshire this year so I know it can't be the same one.

Cotham Marble · #8 (**permalink**) 24-10-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulinemiller10

I love these moths Paddy, I had one visit my garden a few years ago, I had never seen one before and thought it was a humming bird , lovely to watch them, now that people are saying there are more about I will keep an eye open for them on sunny days and see if I can get some Savia 'Hotlips' for next year. Pauline.

I think that should be Salvia 'Hotlips' - it's listed as half hardy so maybe tricky for all but the most sheltered parts of the UK to keep going through the winter - perhaps pot grown it can be overwintered in a green house ? A spring favourite for humingbird hawk moths is lungwort (pulmonaria) thoughI've only just planted these in my current garden. I've seen just one HBHM this year and that was feeding on cheddar pinks in July.

CM

paddy · #9 (**permalink**) 24-10-2011, 09:34 PM

Well, my Salvia Hotlips has gone through two very tough winters - i cut it back sharply every year, and it flowers profusely from early May through to November with no deadheading - or any care at all really. Seems to like a sunny spot, but i can't recommend it enough for wildlife gardens. Obviously with typical Salvia flowers its tricky for larger butterflies, but fantastic for small to medium bees, hovers, micro and medium moths, wasps - found Vapourer caterpillars on it last year. Plus it's an extremely attractive plant. I've had hummigbird HMs round the baskets too. Normally get Privets and Elephants (HMs - not Trunkies) but they seem to have been lower in numbers. I think things that normally are early- or late-year have been the winners in 2011.