Gerald McCormack, CINHT
Sometimes in the evening bird-like creatures hover over flowers while probing them with a long slender beak. Are they hummingbirds?
Gnathothlibus erotus Caterpillar or Hornworm – Cook Islands, Manihiki – Gerald McCormack
Although they look like the hummingbirds of books and films these creatures are actually large moths, known as hawk-moths or sphinx-moths. They have strong slender wings enabling them to fly very fast and to hover. They are nocturnal feeders, usually starting around dusk. Their caterpillars are called hornworms, because they have a long horn on the rear end. Continue reading →
