Thursday, June 29, 2017

Scary or Just Lucky

The world is a scary place sometimes.



Above is a click-eyed beetle.  This one was about two inches long and quite and an eye-catcher.  It does not bite or sting and those round outlined circles on its back are not the eyes.  In the adult stage, it eats the larva of other insects, so it is considered beneficial.  I understand that if you catch it and put it upside down on the ground it will click its spine and right itself.  I was not brave enough to do that.

Above in this photo is the Hummingbird moth that is a voracious feeder of nectar.  This one is loving my bee balm.  They also are beneficial and do not sting or bite.  They almost look like a hummingbird when flying.

According to one website, "Hummingbird moths have been seen as a lucky omen. In particular, a swarm of the moths was seen flying across the English Channel on D-Day, the day of the Normandy landings in the Second World War."

11 comments:

  1. yes, the do click and right themselves and I occasionally see hummingbird moths around here.

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  2. Nice photos
    Hummingbird moths are amazing to see. I thought I saw one the other day. Time for some petunias.:)

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  3. I've never seen either, but now I will look.

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  4. The insect world is endlessly fascinating.

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  5. Have many hummingbirds
    but never noticed this.
    I am always learning from you...

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  6. Great photos, Tabor!

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  7. Those are some big bugs!

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  8. I have never seen or heard of either one but am happy to know about them. If I ever see one I won't panic. Thanks.

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  9. The hummingbird moths are found in England. They used to come to my soapwort, a plant used for washing medieval tapestries. I'm a mine of useless facts ;) But to watch them hover with their probiscious over the nectar was fascinating. Saponaria officinialis.

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  10. Fascinating! These creatures are new to me.

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Glad to hear from you once again. I really like these visits. Come sit on this log and tell me what you are thinking.