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![The hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) is a species of hawk moth found across temperate regions of Eurasia. The species is named for its similarity to hummingbirds, as they feed on the nectar of tube-shaped flowers using their long proboscis while hovering in the air; this resemblance is an example of convergent evolution. \nLife cycle:\nTwo or more broods are produced each year. The adult may be encountered at any time of the year, especially in the south of the range, where there may be three or four broods. It overwinters as an adult in a crevice among rocks, trees, and buildings. On very warm days it may emerge to feed in mid-winter. Unlike other moths, they have no sexual dimorphism in the size of their antennal lobes.\nHabitat and host plants:\nHummingbird hawk-moths can be easily seen in gardens, parks, meadows, bushes, and woodland edge, where the preferred food plants grow (honeysuckle, red valerian and many others). \nTheir larvae usually feed on bedstraws or madders (Rubia) but have been recorded on other Rubiaceae and Centranthus, Stellaria, and Epilobium. \nAdults are particularly fond of nectar-rich flowers with a long and narrow calyx, since they can then take advantage of their long proboscis and avoid competition from other insects. Flowers with longer tubes typically present the feeding animal a higher nectar reward. Proboscis length is thought to have been evolutionarily impacted by the length of flower feeding tubes.] Examples of such plants include Centranthus, Jasminum, Buddleia, Nicotiana, Primula, Viola, Syringa, Verbena, Echium, Phlox, and Stachys. \nDistribution:\nThe hummingbird hawk-moth is distributed throughout the northern Old World from Portugal to Japan, but it breeds mainly in warmer climates (southern Europe, North Africa, and points east). Three generations are produced in a year in Spain. \n\nThis Species can be seen in different Habitats (inc. Gardens) in the Netherlands in Summer Season.](https://media.istockphoto.com/id/1652675094/photo/hummingbird-hawk-moth-in-flight.jpg?b=1&s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=nypwlzqEK_tqJCfZikRPcsWWWb06pAkmP_qxJOggg9M=)
![Colorful butterfly or moth on wildflower during sunset\n[url=/search/lightbox/4993571][IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/3032065487_f6e753ae37.jpg?v=0[/IMG][/url]](https://media.istockphoto.com/id/155156730/photo/colorful-zygaenidae-moth-on-wildflower-during-sunset.jpg?b=1&s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=QsYPe0ex9WfiqEKF7kNExo6jCFnygbKiaAWwsbyNXcc=)
![The oak processionary (Thaumetopoea processionea) is a moth whose caterpillars can be found in oak forests, where they feed on oak leaves, causing significant damage. They travel in nose-to-tail processions (hence their name), often arrow-headed, with a leader followed by rows of several caterpillars abreast.[1] They are a human irritant because of their venomous setae (hairs), which can cause skin irritation and asthma. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.\nDescription:\nThe wingspan of adult stage moths is between 25 and 35 millimeters. Their pattern of tan, brown and white makes the adults difficult to see against oak bark. Adults fly during July and August. The larvae construct communal nests of white silk from which they crawl at night in single file, head to tail in large processions to feed on foliage in the crowns of trees, returning in the same manner. \nOak is its preferred food source, but the moth also eats the leaves of hazel, hornbeam, sweet chestnut, birch and beech.\nDistribution:\nThe moths are widely distributed in central and southern Europe, and are occasionally found as far north as Sweden. In the southern countries of Europe the populations are controlled by natural predators, but these predators are not present in northern Europe. Their range is expanding northward, possibly or partly as a result of global warming. The moth now has an established population in the UK (source Wikipedia). In the Netherlands the Species is a severe Plague for several Years (especially the Caterpillars, with their defense Bristles, which can cause irritation or health problems by Human) .\n\nThis Picture is made during a light catch in the South of Limburg half way of August 2021. This is a very common Species in the Netherlands and is a Pest there.](https://media.istockphoto.com/id/1342073336/photo/oak-processionary-moth-male.jpg?b=1&s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=jkx8oMr2xzkTSsF8p7Xj9CCTRYYryQn7syMn5ZlUxE8=)
