Hey Iowa, That’s Not a Hummingbird, It’s a Giant Moth!

Walking down the streets of Cascade, Iowa as fall overtakes summer is always a treat. For many years I believed I was seeing hummingbirds at the flower baskets along the sidewalks as summer ended. I could have not been farther from the truth, although this crazy looking insect does share a name with the aforementioned bird.

Introducing the Hummingbird Moth

These fascinating insects are a rare sight, but once you spot one, you'll be hooked. Iowa is home to a few species of these unique creatures, with the most common being the Clearwing Hummingbird Moth (Hemaris thysbe) and the Whitelined Sphinx Moth. In fact, there are approximately 125 different species of sphinx moths in the United States and Canada.

What makes these moths so special is that they look and behave so much like hummingbirds. They zip from flower to flower, hovering in mid-air while sipping nectar through their long, straw-like tongues. Unlike most moths, which prefer the cover of darkness, hummingbird moths are active during the day, especially in the late afternoon, making it easy to mistake them for the tiny, nectar-drinking birds.

Their rapid wings, furry bodies, and speedy movements only add to the confusion. And like hummingbirds, they’re drawn to bright, fragrant flowers like bee balm, phlox, and honeysuckle. If you have a garden full of these blooms, you might just get lucky enough to spot one.

Hummingbird moths are full of surprises! For starters, they can hover in place just like hummingbirds, flapping their wings at an incredible rate of about 70 beats per second. Despite their small size, they can fly up to 12 miles per hour! Their long, coiled tongues—sometimes longer than their bodies—allow them to reach deep into flowers for nectar.

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Interestingly, hummingbird moths go through a caterpillar stage, often green or brown with a horn-like spike on their back, which gives them the nickname “hornworms.” Now, I know you've seen these guys in your Iowa garden. These caterpillars will later pupate in the soil before emerging as moths.

Watching a hummingbird moth in action is like catching a glimpse of a secret part of nature you didn’t know existed. These little guys aren’t just great for pollinating your plants; they’re also an absolute delight to observe. So next time you're in the garden and see something buzzing around the blooms, take a closer look—it might just be one of Iowa's unique and amazing hummingbird moths.