Tenerife forum

DaveR · Supreme Reefer Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 1220

I have a standard Hibiscus just outside my lounge window. Last night a very large insect was flying around the flowers. At fist I thought it looked like humming bird but it was not it was definately an insect. The body was light brown.

I have tried searching the internet and cannot find it. Anyone any ideas what this insect is?

rob

Did it have a long proboscis that was hinged? hovering in front of a flower like a humming bird?
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DaveR · Supreme Reefer Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 1220

rob

I know it as a humming bird moth, maybe Bard can give it's true name
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DaveR · Supreme Reefer Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 1220

I can look it up now I know that. Many Thanks Rob.

DaveR · Supreme Reefer Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 1220

Now that you have told me what it was I saw I have been able to look it up. Here is a link to the best picture I can find on the internet. To be honest I had never even heard of Hummingbird Moths.

http://www.ukexpert.co.uk/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=20899&cat=866

rob

Great picture that's the type that I've often seen here. They do come in a variety of colours.
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bardofely

Sorry, I'm late on this! You get them all over the island and I have even had one on my balcony even though there are no flowers. They migrate and some reach the UK. There are several other much bigger hawk moths here including the Death's Head Hawk.
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DaveR · Supreme Reefer Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 1220

Thanks Bard I will be looking out for them now that I know what they are. I am really interested in all sorts of wildlife so I will probably be in this particular forum a lot asking questions. Hope you don't mind.

bardofely

I am very glad to hear you are interested in nature, Dave! It has been my passion since I was a little boy! I am very proud of my Tenerife Sun column because I have got to write about a lot of animals and plants here in it. I dream of getting a book out here on the subject! Smile

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DaveR · Supreme Reefer Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 1220

I just read your excellent article on El Tanque. May take a drive there early in the week as we have not been yet. Will let you know how we get on. Might even take a little bag and stay over somewhere. I like doing that spur of the moment stuff.

bardofely

I hope you can find the road and track I found or some other way up into the forests there! The village is very nice but if it's nature you want!

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DaveR · Supreme Reefer Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 1220

I think you would have loved where I lived in Scotland in the North East Highlands. It was 4 miles to the nearest village and over a mile to the nearest neighbour. The wildlife was amazing - all sorts running right around the house and gardens. I was sat in the garden one day and a stoat calmly walked about 2 metres in front of me. It was totally non plussed by my presence.

The only down side was the 120 mile daily round trip to work in Aberdeen. That could be one hell of a journey during bad winters.

bardofely