African Hummingbird Hawkmoth
Common NameAfrican Hummingbird Hawkmoth
Scientific NameMacroglossum trochilus
FamilySphingidae
SubfamilyMacroglossinae
Wingspan (mm)45
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsbrown, orange, black, white
HabitatGardens, open woodlands, forest edges, areas with flowering plants
Geographic RangeSub-Saharan Africa
Host PlantsPentas lanceolata, Galium spp.
Flight PeriodYear-round in warmer regions, multiple broods
Flight Stylehovering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on host plants, typically Rubiaceae. Larvae are usually green or brown with a caudal horn, feeding on leaves. Pupation occurs in a cocoon in the soil or leaf litter.
Identification TipsKey features include its hummingbird-like hovering flight, the robust body with prominent orange and black abdominal banding, and the distinctive black and white anal tufts. The dark forewings contrasting with orange hindwings are also characteristic.
Description
A medium-sized hawkmoth with a robust, hairy body, featuring a yellowish-brown thorax, an abdomen banded with orange and black, and distinctive black and white anal tufts. Its forewings are dark brown, while the hindwings are orange-brown with a dark border.
