Hummingbird Moth Life Cycle

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read14.2K views

Early this month my kids suggested we collect a couple of Caterpillars of the White-lined Sphinx (Hummingbird Moth) and Hummingbird Hawk-Moth feasting on the Gaura Lindheimeri plants in the front yard garden (we got five in total during their second development stage of instar).

Hummingbird Hawk-Moth Life Cycle.
Hummingbird Hawk-Moth Life Cycle.
Image Source: AnimalBook.org.
Caterpillar second instar stage.
Hummingbird Moth Caterpillar second instar stage.
Hummingbird Moth Caterpillar.
Hummingbird Moth Caterpillar.

A few days ago, most of our active, fascinating and ferocious eaters began to lose appetite. They started searching for a place to pupate, slightly shrunk in size and turned brown.

Caterpillars turning color.
Caterpillars turning color.
Caterpillar Old Skin.
Caterpillar Old Skin.
Caterpillar Cocooned.
Chrysalis.

The first Hummingbird Moth emerged from its chrysalis approximately two weeks later and the last two emerged today, two days following the first.

White Lined Sphinx (Hummingbird Moth).
White Lined Sphinx (Hummingbird Moth).

The whole process of feeding and watching the Caterpillars transform was a thrilling experience for my kids.