Nessus Sphinx Moth in My Friends' Garden

This Nessus Sphinx Moth was feeding on Liatris (Gayfeather) flowers in Janice and Art Haines' Garden in Niagara Falls, Ontario. We had the best view of this fascinating diurnal sphinx moth. 15 July 2017. This is not a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth. Thanks to James Kamstra for the identification.

 

Please click photo above or this link to Hummingbird Sphinx Moth in Janice and Art's garden

Nessus Sphinx Moths behave just like hummingbirds, probing for nectar in the flowers. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds also frequent Janice and Art's garden which is ablaze with flowers attractive to hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and moths.

 

Because it could be mistaken for a hummingbird by new birders, Roger Tory Peterson includes an illustration and a caution in his Field Guide to Birds of North America.