Hummingbird hawk-moth — printable fact sheet
Free to print or save as PDF. Great for classrooms, homeschooling, and young explorers.
Creature Atlas
Animal Fact Sheet
Name: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Hummingbird hawk-moth
Macroglossum stellatarum
Macroglossum stellatarum is routinely reported to wildlife charities as an escaped hummingbird, and the mistake is understandable: it hovers with an audible hum, holds station in front of a flower, and extends a proboscis nearly as long as its body while its wings beat at around…
Did you know?
- Despite being a moth, it can fly over 3,000 kilometers during seasonal migrations.
- The moth can hover in wind that would defeat a hummingbird of comparable size, because it locks onto the moving flower visually and copies its motion rather than trying to hold an absolute position. It has been shown to learn flower colours in a single feeding visit and to remember them for days. Unlike most moths it is strictly a day-flier, and it can be seen feeding in bright noon sun on buddleia, valerian and red valerian in particular.
What I learned
Draw the hummingbird hawk-moth
© Creature Atlas · www.creatureatlas.com · Free for classroom & personal use
Want the whole set?
Get printable fact-sheet packs, coloring pages, and classroom worksheet bundles for dozens of animals — ready to download and print.
Browse printable packsGet a free printable each week
Join the newsletter for a new Creature of the Week + printables.