→ TL;DR: Looking to attract hummingbird and sphinx moths to your garden? Plant bee balm, honeysuckle, and phlox to create the perfect habitat for these pollinators. Read on for a full list of plants appropriate for different species.
image credit: Clara Metivier
Have you ever spotted an impossibly tiny hummingbird or an oversized bumblebee in your garden?
Chances are, you've just encountered a Hummingbird Moth or a Snowberry Clearwing. These captivating moths add a fairy-tale element to the garden as they flit about the flowers.
The first time a Hummingbird Moth graced my yard, I was utterly spellbound.
This ethereal creature, a blend of avian grace and fuzzy insect wonder, sports tentacle-like antennae and a tongue designed for nature's hidden nectar.
It seemed to have fluttered straight out of a fantasy world. That enchanting encounter inspired me to turn my green space into a refuge for these magical visitors.
Join me as I share the discoveries from my journey to create a haven for Sphinx Moths and Clearwings, so you, too, can welcome these delightful pollinators into your own garden sanctuary.
→ Fun Fact: Sphinx Moths get their name from how they relax as a caterpillar. They have their chest raised up perpendicular to the air, and their head angled down, much like the sphinx status of ancient Egypt (mdc).
The Best Plants to Attract Hawk-moths and Clearwings: Habitat Essentials
host plants for clearwings and hawk moths
This interactive list is arranged by plant name on its default setting, but you can also organize it by the moth species you’re targeting.
I hope it’s helpful for you as you plan out your Hawk-moth and Clearwing Garden.
Ideal Host Plants for Clearwings and Hawk Moths
Popular Nectar Plants
In general, large flowers that are tubular will catch the eye of hawkmoths (mdc).
image credit: Kevin Barnes
How to Identify a Hawk-Moth or Clearwing Moth:
Adults:
Large (described as “hefty” or “plump“)
Two antanae
Proboscis (tongue or “mouth tube”)
Day-active (if they look like bees or hummingbirds)
Hover in front of flowers to drink nectar
Make a “hum” noise, much like hummingbirds
Caterpillars:
Have a horn on their back
Depending on species, are bright green, deep purple, or even florescent blue!
Wings are pink-orange and brown with a clear thin horizontal white stripe
Habitat in North America
Larva:
Can have a mostly black body with a light green stripe along its mid-back and dashed lines on either side. Head and horn are orange-brown
Can be mostly green with nine spots running along either side of its back. Spots have a pink center, yellow and black lining on bottom and black lining on top.
Similar wings to White-Lined Sphinx, but center stripe is wider and more gray/brown
Habitat in North America
Larva:
Can be a dark green-brown to black with purple-brown ends, ten yellow spots on either side of its back outlined in black. One set of spots is along the edge of its horn.
Can also be more black instead of dark green-brown, with pink dots
How to Distinguish Between Clearwing and Hawk Moth Caterpillars and Tomato Hornworms
Don’t freak out - these are NOT Tomato Hornworms!
While the caterpillars of clearwings and hawk moths look very similar to Tomato Hornworms, they are not the same species and will not cause damage to the precious tomatoes in your garden.
The tomato hornworm (five-spotted moth) and tobacco hornworm (Carolina sphinx moth) (purdue) are also called hummingbird moths, but they are a bit different.
One distinguishing feature in the caterpillar stage is that the tomato and tobacco worms have black and white lines on them. Specifically, the Tomato Hornworm has eight white marks on its body, shaped like the letter V. The Tobacco Hornworm has seven diagonal lines with a black border (wikipedia, gardensall).
They are in the same Sphingidae family, but are a different genus (wikipedia).
Tobacco hornworm moths (Manduca sexta) look a bit like a wasp or a bee, but not a bumblebee (iastate).
Tomato hornworms moths (Manduca quinquemaculata) have a wasp-like thorax and very “standard” moth wings, with a fuzzy body.
Also of note is the Pink-spotted hawk moth caterpillars, which will eat sweet potato vines.
Pandora, Achemon, and Virginia creeper sphinx moth larvae are seen as pests for grapes (mdc).
→ Fun Fact: Since Tobacco + Tomato hornworms eat toxic and bitter plants as a defence mechanism - because of this, they are not appealing to other animals (MDC).
Lifecycle of Hawk Moths and Clearwings
Egg:
Caterpillar eggs are laid by female moths on the undersides of host plants.
Eggs are small green or yellow balls.
Larva:
Caterpillars nibble on the plants to grow.
They shed their skin several times during this stage.
Pupa:
Caterpillars go into the pupae stage, and create brown cocoons that will be found on the surface of the soil.
Cocoons are often mistaken for or mixed-up in leaf piles.
Adults:
Adult moths are large, excellent fliers, and hum as they move around.
You’ll often see them slurping up nectar of certain flowers
Depending on weather conditions of the region, multiple generations can occur in a single year.
→ Fun Fact: Sphinx moths are rated as one of the fastest insects around (mdc)!
Understanding the Pollination Power of Moths
Hummingbird Moth, image credit Paul Crook
It’s easy to forget that these moths offer so much benefit to the garden. But their unique physiology makes them an essential contributor to the plant world.
Long tongues: Hawk Moths and Clearwings have extra long tongues that can get nectar from hard-to-reach plants.
Diversity: Moths can travel long distances, cross-pollinating between different clusters of plants. This keeps the diversity of these species rich (USDA FS).
Create an Ideal Habitat for Moths: Tips and Tricks
Install Natural Mulch: This helps protect overwintering larvae, and supports their populations overall.
“Leave the leaves!: As the Xerces Society says, fallen leaves serve as overwintering habitats for essential insects like moths.
Pair up Plants: Plan to grow not only nectar sources, but larval hosts as well. This will keep the full life cycle of these moths within the cozy corner of your backyard.
Pesticide-free: Avoid harmful chemicals to ensure a safe environment for moths to thrive.
Focus on Native Plants: These plants will help support the native clearwings and hawk moths in your region.
Design Your Clearwing and Hawk Moth Garden
Plan the Layout
Optimize the way your garden attracts these lively creatures into your backyard. As a bonus, this will also help to bring in other pollinators and butterflies!
Look at sunlight: Full or partial sun is usually best for thesse nectar-rich plants
Think about wind: If necessary, create a windbreak with shrubs or a hedgerow to protect that area from strong gusts of wind
Mix it up: Include a variety of plants - annuals, perennials, shrubs, fruit, herbs, flowers - so that food sources are always available for the moths.
Layer in Style: Ground covers will help to protect pupae, and leafy mid-layers are great for larva and adults. Certain trees bring in adult clearwing moths, too!
Don’t be Monotone: Multiple colors attract clearwings and hawk moths - reds, pinks, purples, and white blooms all are nectar sources.
Seasonal Maintenance of your Clearwing and Hawk Moth Garden
Spring:
Add in mulch to any areas where ground cover decomposed
Implement no-till practices to ensure that you’re not damaging cocoons
Sow new annuals for the coming season
Summer:
Tend to plants, especially during intense heat or drought
Watch for moth activity in the day or at dusk
Autumn:
Let the leaves fall and create a natural shelter for cocoons
Keep some dead material in the garden, especially hollow stems
Winter:
Plan out any changes or additions to next year’s garden
Be sure you have seeds and potted plants to add in to your moth habitat next year!
Conclusion
Key Action Steps:
Plant Nectar-Rich Flowers: Select a variety of blooms like honeysuckle, phlox, and bee balm to provide ample nectar.
Include Host Plants: Incorporate larval host plants like hawthorn, cherry, and snowberry to support the entire lifecycle.
Create Shelter: Design your garden with layers to offer protection for eggs, caterpillars, and pupae.
Practice Organic Gardening: Avoid pesticides and maintain soil health to ensure a safe habitat for moths.
Encourage Biodiversity: Mix plant types and colors to attract a diverse array of moths and other pollinators.
Observe and Enjoy: Take time to watch and appreciate the humming wings and vibrant activity in your moth-friendly garden.
As the summer sun bathes your garden in golden light, the whimsical dance of Hawk Moths and Clearwings can become a daily spectacle.
Their humming wings and lightning-fast movements are not just a sight to behold - but also a sign of the rich biodiversity you've fostered right in your backyard.
A selection of nectar-rich flowers and larval host plants can create an inviting tableau for these delightful pollinators. Prepare to see these fascinating insects up close.
The magic begins with a single plant and grows with each visitor that graces your garden. Embrace the beauty, support the ecosystem, and bask in the satisfaction of knowing you're contributing to the wonder of nature's daily rhythms.
Here's to a garden that hums with life and a backyard that becomes a sanctuary for the enchanting Hawk Moth and Clearwing!
