Australian Hummingbird Hawkmoth
Common NameAustralian Hummingbird Hawkmoth
Scientific NameMacroglossum hirundo
FamilySphingidae
SubfamilyMacroglossinae
Wingspan (mm)45
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsolive green, brown, cream
HabitatGardens, open forests, coastal areas, urban environments
Geographic RangeNorthern and eastern Australia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna
Host PlantsMorinda citrifolia, Pentas lanceolata
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions, warmer months in temperate areas
Flight Stylehovering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are typically green or brown with a prominent horn at the rear, feeding on host plants before pupating in the soil.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its olive-green and brown cryptic coloration, the pale band on the abdomen, and its characteristic hummingbird-like hovering flight while feeding on nectar.
Description
A medium-sized hawkmoth with a robust, olive-green and brown body, and forewings mottled with shades of green, brown, and cream, featuring a distinct pale band across the abdomen.
