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What the sources say

Hummingbird Hawk-MothMacroglossum stellatarum

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Hummingbird Hawk-Moth profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 44 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

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Source
01

Dahake et al. 2018

Dahake et al. (2018). The roles of vision and antennal mechanoreception in hawkmoth flight control. eLife.

The page saysGalium is the caterpillars' native host plant
The source saysEggs were collected and the caterpillars raised on their native host plant Gallium sp.Note: stats.diet; the paper spells the genus 'Gallium'; Galium is the plant genus
The page saysHovers in front of flowers, and the sensors in its antennae help it control rapid turns
The source saysantennal mechanosensors play a key role in the control of hovering flight, specifically in the control of fast flight manoeuvres (rapid turns)Note: stats.superpower
The page saysThe hummingbird hawk-moth feeds from flowers while hovering in front of them.
The source saysM. stellatarum feed from flowers while hovering in front of them
The page saysSix moths weighed in a flight-control study averaged 252 milligrams, about a quarter of a gram.
The source sayswe measured these quantities in six freshly sacrificed animals (three male, three female). The resulting average head:antenna ratio was 3.38:1 ± 0.68 standard deviation, with a weight of 10.5 ± 1.4 mg for the head and 3.1 ± 0.31 mg for the two antennae. The animals weighed an average of 252 ± 66 mg.Note: 252 mg = 0.252 g
The page saysIn a flight-cage test, moths with the flagella removed from their antennae (the long outer part) jittered more around an artificial flower than moths with intact antennae.
The source saysit was notable that flagella ablated moths jittered around their target position with larger amplitudes than moths of the other two antennal conditionsNote: other two conditions = control (intact) and re-attached; flight cage and artificial flower from the methods: we trained hawkmoths ( Macroglossum stellatarum ) in a flight cage to approach and hover in front of an artificial flower
The page saysThe authors report that antennal mechanosensors, which feel movement, play a key role in controlling hovering flight, especially fast manoeuvres such as rapid turns.
The source saysantennal mechanosensors play a key role in the control of hovering flight, specifically in the control of fast flight manoeuvres (rapid turns)
The page saysGalium plants are the caterpillars' native host plant.
The source saysEggs were collected and the caterpillars raised on their native host plant Gallium sp.Note: paper spells it 'Gallium'
The page sayssensors in its antennae steer rapid turns
The source saysantennal mechanosensors play a key role in the control of hovering flight, specifically in the control of fast flight manoeuvres (rapid turns)Note: vibe.reason
The page saysweightKg: 0.000252
The source saysThe animals weighed an average of 252 ± 66 mg

Source
02

Warrant, Bartsch & Günther 1999

Warrant, Bartsch & Günther (1999). Physiological optics in the hummingbird hawkmoth: a compound eye without ommatidia. Journal of Experimental Biology.

The page saysA day-flying moth that hangs in front of flowers while a special patch of its eye fixes on the flower's entrance.
The source saysIt is this eye region that M. stellatarum uses to fixate flower entrances during hovering and feeding.Note: tagline; the day-flying part is the 'day-active' of the same abstract (The fast-flying day-active hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum)
The page saysThe moth's eye has a frontal acute zone, a patch with larger facets and more densely packed light-sensing cells than the rest of the eye.
The source saysBy having larger facets, a wider aperture and denser rhabdom packing, the frontal acute zone of M. stellatarum provides the eye with its sharpest and brightest imageNote: rhabdoms are the light-sensing structures of the photoreceptors; 'than the rest of the eye' is the paper's gradient framing (maximal at the frontal acute zone: The size of the facets and the area of the superposition aperture are both maximal at the frontal retinal acute zone)
The page saysThat patch gives the sharpest and brightest image, and the moth uses it to fixate flower entrances during hovering and feeding.
The source saysthe frontal acute zone of M. stellatarum provides the eye with its sharpest and brightest image and samples the image with the densest photoreceptor matrix. It is this eye region that M. stellatarum uses to fixate flower entrances during hovering and feeding.
The page saysIn the front of the eye there are up to four rhabdoms, the light-sensing structures, behind each facet, so the moth does not have ommatidia, the usual units of an insect eye, in the accepted sense.
The source saysIn fact, this eye has many more rhabdoms than facets, with up to four rhabdoms per facet in the frontal eye, a situation which means that M. stellatarum does not possess ommatidia in the accepted sense.Note: 'the usual units of an insect eye' glosses ommatidia; the paper's title calls it 'a compound eye without ommatidia'

Source
03

Telles et al. 2014

Telles et al. (2014). Out of the blue: the spectral sensitivity of hummingbird hawkmoths. Journal of Comparative Physiology A.

The page saysElectrical recordings found light receptors for ultraviolet, blue and green, most sensitive at 349, 440 and 521 nanometres.
The source saysUsing behavioural tests and electroretinograms (ERGs), we studied the spectral sensitivity of M. stellatarum. By measuring ERGs in the dark-adapted eye and after adaptation to green light, we determined that M. stellatarum has ultraviolet (UV), blue and green receptors maximally sensitive at 349, 440 and 521 nm

Source
04

Kelber 1997

Kelber (1997). Innate Preferences for Flower Features in the Hawkmoth Macroglossum Stellatarum. Journal of Experimental Biology.

The page saysNectar from flowers of almost every colour, shape and size
The source saysis known to feed from a variety of flower species of almost all colours, forms and sizes
The page saysAdults drink nectar from many kinds of flower.
The source saysis known to feed from a variety of flower species of almost all colours, forms and sizes
The page saysNewly emerged moths tested with artificial flowers had a strong preference for light of 440 nanometres, a weaker one for 540, and favoured disks about 32 millimetres across.
The source saysThe moths were found to have a strong preference for 440 nm and a weaker preference for 540 nm.
The page saysfavoured disks about 32 millimetres across
The source saysDisks of approximately 32 mm in diameter are preferred to smaller and larger ones
The page saysSize mattered more to them than colour, and colour more than pattern.
The source saysTests using combinations of two parameters reveal that size is more important than colour and that colour is more important than pattern.
The page saysBlue, by instinct.
The source saysThe moths were found to have a strong preference for 440 nmNote: 440 nm is the blue receptor's peak in Telles et al. 2014; 'by instinct' = the innate preferences of newly eclosed imagines tested in this study

Source
05

Balkenius, Rosén & Kelber 2005

Balkenius, Rosén & Kelber (2005). The relative importance of olfaction and vision in a diurnal and a nocturnal hawkmoth. Journal of Comparative Physiology A.

The page saysIt flies by day
The source saysthe diurnal species, M. stellatarum
The page saysA nocturnal lifestyle is ancestral for the hawk-moth family, and this species evolved from moths that flew at night.
The source saysSince a nocturnal lifestyle is ancestral for sphingids, the diurnal species, M. stellatarum, has evolved from nocturnal moths that primarily used olfaction.Note: sphingids = hawk-moth family (the paper names Sphingidae)
The page saysIn wind-tunnel tests, the day-flying hummingbird hawk-moth followed a visual cue, while a night-flying relative, the elephant hawk-moth, followed an odour.
The source saysWe tested naïve hawkmoths of two species in a wind tunnel, presenting an odour source and a visual stimulus. ... The nocturnal Deilephila elpenor responded preferably to the odour while the diurnal Macroglossum stellatarum strongly favoured the visual stimulus.Note: Deilephila elpenor = elephant hawk-moth (common name, not in the abstract)
The page saysThe researchers suggest bright daylight made sight more useful than smell.
The source saysDuring bright daylight visual cues may have became more important than odour.

Source
06

Herrera 1992

Herrera (1992). Activity pattern and thermal biology of a day-flying hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum) under Mediterranean summer conditions. Ecological Entomology.

The page saysIn foraging moths at a flowering lavender patch in southeastern Spain, the thorax, the middle section of the body, stayed between 39 and 46 degrees Celsius while the air ranged from 19 to 36 degrees.
The source saysForaging took place over a broad range of microclimatic conditions, as described by air temperature ( T a ; range 19‐36°C) and solar radiation (IR; range 1–1025 Wm ‐2 ). The thoracic temperature ( T th ) of insects remained within relatively narrow limits (39–46°C)Note: lavender = Lavandula latifolia, named in the abstract: 'foraging at a flowering population of Lavandula latifolia (Labiatae) under the dry‐hot summer conditions of a southeastern Spanish locality'
The page saysThe author called their tolerance of high thorax temperature unusual.
The source saysThe unusual tolerance of high T th exhibited by M.stellatarum

Source
07

Cuadrado 2017

Cuadrado (2017). The year-round phenology of Macroglossum stellatarum (Linnaeus, 1758) at a Mediterranean area of South of Spain (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología.

The page saysNot Evaluated
The source saysMacroglossum stellatarum (Linnaeus, 1758) is a common moth species found in the Palearctic region.Note: stats.conservationStatus. The global field stays Not Evaluated: the only Red List assessment is the 2024 Europe one (cited in the FAQ, read in Chrome 2026-10-12), so the page makes no global claim. GBIF's copy of the Red List reports NOT_EVALUATED. Precedent: honeybee, buff-tailed bumblebee.
The page saysMoths were recorded there all year round
The source saysThe species was recorded all year round
The page sayswhich suggests the species lives in that area
The source saysDespite the species seems to have a residence status in the area
The page saysyet the author said some of the moths counted might have been migrating along their Palearctic route.
The source saysthe possibility that some imagos could have been recorded during their migratory movements in their Palearctic route remain open

Source
08

Qayumova 2023

Qayumova (2023). Information on the biology of the butterfly (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) Macroglossum stellatarum (Linnaeus, 1758) in the conditions of South Fergana. Scientific journal of the Fergana State University.

The page saysAcross the Palearctic, with a southern range limit running from North Africa to Japan
The source saysArealining janubiy chegaralari Shimoliy Afrikadan Yaqin Sharq va Pokiston orqali Janubiy Xitoy va Yaponiyagacha boradi.Note: stats.habitat; Uzbek: 'the southern limits of the range run from North Africa through the Middle East and Pakistan to southern China and Japan'
The page saysAcross the Palearctic
The source saysPalearktikaning turli mintaqalari bo‘ylab tarqalgan mazkur turNote: stats.habitat; Uzbek: 'this species, distributed across various regions of the Palearctic'
The page saysin Uzbekistan's South Fergana, on all kinds of open ground, from foothill pastures to streets and homes
The source saysMacroglossum stellatarum kapalagini barcha turdagi ochiq yerlarida, shu jumladan, tog‘ oldi yaylovlar va adirliklarda, xiyobonlar va aholi xonadonlarida uchratdikNote: stats.habitat; Uzbek: 'we found M. stellatarum on all types of open ground, including foothill pastures and hills, avenues and people's homes' (observations in the South Fergana villages Avval, Log‘on, Vodil, Chimyon); scoped to South Fergana
The page saysOne specimen caught in the Fergana Valley had a body 29.25 millimetres long and a wingspan of 49.5 millimetres.
The source saysMacroglossum stellatarum kapalagining tanasini uzunligi 29,25 mm, oldingi qanotini uzunligi 25,54 mm, keying qanotini uzunligi 13,22 mm ekanligi qayd etildi. Qanotlarini yozganda kengligi 49,5 mm ni tashkil etdi.Note: Uzbek: a specimen caught at Chimyon village, Fergana district, July 2022, body length 29.25 mm; width with wings spread 49.5 mm. One specimen, so the body says so.
The page saysIts proboscis, the feeding tube, measured 23 millimetres.
The source saysxartumining uzunligi 23 mm ga tengNote: same specimen; xartum = proboscis
The page saysThe species is found across the Palearctic region.
The source saysPalearktikaning turli mintaqalari bo‘ylab tarqalgan mazkur turNote: Uzbek: 'distributed across various regions of the Palearctic'
The page saysIts southern range limit runs from North Africa through the Middle East and Pakistan to southern China and Japan.
The source saysArealining janubiy chegaralari Shimoliy Afrikadan Yaqin Sharq va Pokiston orqali Janubiy Xitoy va Yaponiyagacha boradi.
The page saysIts northern limit depends on climate and changes from year to year.
The source saysArealining shimoliy chegaralari iqlim sharoitiga bog‘liq va har yili o‘zgarib turadiNote: Uzbek: 'the northern limits of the range depend on climate and change every year'
The page saysIn the Fergana Valley the author saw three generations in the 2022 season, and reports that the species spends the winter as an adult.
The source saysKapalak bosqichida qishlab chiqadi. 2022-yil mavsumida Macroglossum stellatarum ni Farg‘ona vodiysi sharoitida uchta avlod berib rivojlanishi kuzatildi.Note: Uzbek: 'It overwinters at the moth stage. In the 2022 season, Macroglossum stellatarum was observed developing in three generations in the Fergana Valley.'

Source
09

van Deijk, Parsons & van Swaay 2026

van Deijk, Parsons & van Swaay (2026). Macroglossum stellatarum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2026: e.T259996857A259996876.

The page saysNot in Europe.
The source saysSCOPE OF ASSESSMENT EuropeNote: FAQ; the assessment's scope is Europe, so the answer claims nothing wider
The page saysThe Red List's 2024 Europe assessment
The source saysMacroglossum stellatarum has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2024Note: FAQ; assessed in 2024 per the abstract
The page sayslast assessed on 2 May 2024
The source saysLAST ASSESSED 02 May 2024
The page saysrates it Least Concern
The source saysMacroglossum stellatarum is listed as Least Concern.
The page sayswith a stable population trend
The source saysSCOPE OF ASSESSMENT Europe POPULATION TREND Stable

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.