From a Tuscan Hillside: Curious Moth

Friday, August 3, 2012

Curious Moth

Sphinx moth

This fascinating diurnal moth had me really puzzled when I was first alerted to it by its loud humming. I was convinced it might be a tiny, rare (rarissimo!) European hummingbird. A little research revealed that it is called called the sphinx, hawk or - hummingbird moth! Its wings are practically invisible as it hovers, indeed Su, the guest who took this photo, has done a miraculous job capturing the wings. This hummingbird moth is feeding from a flower of nepeta grandiflora or catmint but seems to frequent many different blooms. I once found one stuck inside a flower of dipladenia boliviensis. It's a joy to watch it dart amongst the flowers, humming non-stop.

2 comments:

Lupus in FabulaAugust 5, 2012 at 12:13 PM
A Tuscan colibrì?! Really interesting to see its colours so well in this still shot too.
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margieAugust 5, 2012 at 1:03 PM
Fantastic photos. I can't wait to see you garden in real life!
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Situated on a hillside, Le Ripe in Chianti has an orchard with heritage fruit trees, an organic vegetable garden, a row of 18 olives, wild figs, wild grapes, dozens of lavender bushes, a medieval hortus conclusus,a shrubbery, English roses and drifts of bulbs, all requiring labour and love but giving much pleasure in return.

The farm buildings, once home, stable, sty and byre, now renovated, host our friends and family. The cottage, a former barn, and two apartments in the main building, once stable and stall, are rented to guests who come by the week or longer. For more information on staying at Le Ripe, see our rental website.

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