I was not prepared for how cute Hummingbird (Sphinx) Moths are.
She was sunning on the door, came back out to her in a deathmatch with a Towhee, so drove the bird off, got her into my hand, got her some heat then into cover, etc.
(she hadn't lost any bits, looked like I got there before injuries)
@tomtrottel Yeah, but apparently it's really hard to get them to take it (as compared to butterflies). Video/sources online suggested you sometimes have to unroll their little tongues manually and I just, sooooo do not trust my klutz ass to not hurt her doing that.
also, she did buzz off after some warmth, and I'd have had to fight her to get her back out of cover at that point, so- figured she'd taken what help she was willing to, heh.
@glassbottommeg hmm. I witnessed it a few times by friends who lived in a forest. the moth came and drank from little cups of sugarwater or honey she put out. but better be carefull, true.
@tomtrottel Oh, yeah! Once they're actually uh, awake? mobile? it's a little easier. But when they're in this state, I gather they aren't really thinking about food yet.
But yeah! Once they're flying, they're basically like hummingbirds in terms of how you can interact with them. Except they're way less vicious and territorial.
EDIT: Well. I assume less vicious. I don't actually know how insects view territory. Pretty sure tho? It isn't like these guys come equipped with swords they can joust/bite with in the same way, at least.
@glassbottommeg normaly they get slow when they are hungry. but if its hurt or shocked I dont know. and I don't think they can attack you with a sword :)
@tomtrottel They also get slow when they're "fresh". They emerge from their burrows (they pupate in burrows! it's cool!) mid-May, and as she sat on the window she was actually spreading her wings out, meaning she was probably just hatched. They go through this process where they sorta, dry out? Wake up? which isn't a matter of food, just, a delicate point in their development.
She was trying SO HARD to fly, but just, wasn't quite there yet. She did a bit better after some heat, though still kinda fell out of the sky after a bit. Likely wasn't quite ready. Hopefully the cover she found is good enough, can only nurse her along so far really.
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