‘Grey lump with orange wings’: migrating moth descends on UK gardens
The UK is experiencing a surge in sightings of the hummingbird hawk-moth, a migratory insect from Europe and North Africa. Experts attribute the increase to favorable weather conditions, including hot temperatures and strong winds.
Why it matters
The migration patterns of these insects serve as an indicator of changing environmental and climate conditions in Europe.
Luke Burstow spied the hummingbird hawk-moth enjoying buddleia flowers in his garden in Sussex. Photograph: Luke Burstow Luke Burstow spied the hummingbird hawk-moth enjoying buddleia flowers in his garden in Sussex. Photograph: Luke Burstow Insects ‘Grey lump with orange wings’: migrating moth descends on UK gardens Boom in hummingbird hawk-moth sightings put down to hot weather, strong winds and food scarcity in Europe
Prefer the Guardian on Google He had just sat down to dinner in the garden when a speedy visitor whizzed by – a “grey lump with orange wings”, recalled Luke Burstow, from Sussex. It was a hummingbird hawk-moth , a flying insect that migrates to the UK from continental Europe and north Africa.
“I was like: ‘Wow!’,” said the software project manager. “I didn’t even know they existed.”
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