Hummingbird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)

Hummingbird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum), originally uploaded by Pipsissiwa.

I popped into the garden to put some kitchen waste in the compost bin and suddenly saw this amazing moth enjoying the Valerian flowers. After gasping out loud with surprise, I rushed back in to grab the camera (twisting my ankle in my excitement) and managed to snap these two shots before it flew away.

These are from being my best photos, but a first for both the garden and myself - I've always wanted to see one and never have, till now. It was amazing to watch - they are bigger than the worlds smallest actual hummingbird species. A large day-flying moth, it behaved just like a hummingbird too, which may seem obvious given the common name but I genuinely didn't expect it to resemble one quite so closely. It hovered perfectly to drink with its huge long tongue and darted rapidly from bloom to bloom.

One of the highlights of the garden so far this year.

Scarlet Tiger Moth (Callimorpha dominula)

Scarlet Tiger Moth (Callimorpha dominula), originally uploaded by Pipsissiwa.

This moth is quite large and unmistakable. There are similarities to the Cream Spot Tiger Moth (Arctia villica), but the thorax doesn't have white edges and the hind wings are red not orange. I often find them dozing the day away on the ivy which covers the fence down one side of the garden.

Buff Ermine Moth (Spilosoma luteum)

Buff Ermine Moth (Spilosoma luteum), originally uploaded by Pipsissiwa.

Dense white/cream fur on the thorax with black legs and head make this a distinctive and beautiful moth. The wings are white or cream with a clear line of small spots running diagonally across the forewing, as well as others scattered more randomly. This one was resting for the day on a leaf in a secluded part of the garden, and was woozy enough to be cooperative in the sitting still stakes.