This moth has a wingspan of 1 1/4 – 1 3/4 inches. The body is stout and black with long, buffy-colored hairs. The wings are clear with rust colored borders and veins. The legs are black. The caterpillar grows up to 1 3/4 inches in length. It is usually green, but there is also a brown form. The body has a row of black spots encircled by white. There is a yellow collar or ridge above the head. The black horn at the end of the abdomen is long and yellow at the base.
These moths are common in this area and can be seen visiting flowers in summer. The first impression many people have on first seeing this moth is of a hummingbird.
The adults hover while nectaring. The larval food plants are dogbane, honeysuckle and snowberry.
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