SEPTEMBER EXTRA 2019 birdsandblooms.com 59
Q This strange moth acts just like a
hummingbird. What is it? Diana Frye OTTUMWA, IOWA
Kenn and Kimberly: Your mystery guest is a member of
the sphinx moth family. More than 100 species of these
big insects live in North America. Most of them feed
by hovering in front of flowers, just like hummingbirds.
Many sphinx moths are active only at night, zooming
around gardens and meadows in the dark. The one in
your photo, the white-lined sphinx, may fly by day or
night. It’s recognized by its striped and checkered body,
white lines on the forewings, and broad pink stripe on
the hindwings.MEET THE EXPERTS
Kimberly and
Kenn Kaufman
are the duo behind
the Kaufman Field
Guide series. They
speak and lead
bird trips all over
the world.Melinda Myers
is a nationally
known, award-
winning garden
expert, TV/radio
host and author
of more than
20 books.Q How did our dwarf
Alberta spruce become so
misshapen? Peggy Ward CECIL, OHIOMelinda: It is not unusual to see this type
of growth on a dwarf Alberta spruce. The
dwarf conifer originated from a mutation
discovered on a white spruce. Plants were
propagated from the unique, compact
growth. A branch will occasionally revert
back to the larger, more robust white
spruce. Simply remove the larger branch at
the bark collar, near the base of the growth.
Do this as soon as possible to prevent it
from ruining the shape of your spruce.