Bee Identification? I Saw The Wildest Bee & Need Help Identifying It.

[KittyWampus]

It was very large and feeding on my Butterfly Bush. So big, I though at first it might be a hummingbird.

Its top half was shining, solid gold and its bottom half was solid black.
No stripes like bees and wasps.

It had two very thick black antennaes and the longest probiscus that probed for the nectar. That's what made me realize it was definately not a bird... no beak.

Have tried to find an online picture encyclopedia of bees but no luck.

Can you help identify the insect I saw?

[femmocrat]

1. It is called a "Bumble Bee Moth"

I don't know how to post a picture, but here is a link:

http://www.mxcat.com/bbmindex.html

Is this what you saw? We have them here too, especially on the butterfly bushes.

[KittyWampus]

2. YES! I think the body had the shape of a moth! Thanks A Million

I really can't thank you enough!

:hug:

[KittyWampus]

4. With your help, I found it was a Hummingbird Moth. It hovered while

feeding like a hummingbird!

[Roon]

3. You know what I love about those kind of big bees?

They are the most harmless, but they make people scream the loudest....LOL

[KittyWampus]

5. Bees are actually very mellow.

Long as you're not swatting at them :)