Re: Can you help me identify a fascinating insect I saw?

Dave:

Your critter sounds like a sphinx moth. Some species lay eggs on tomatos that grow into the giant and very destructive green hornworms. The adults hover like hummingbirds, and are big for moths. A local species in Spokane has three or four yellow stripes on the abdomen (I recently illustrated it, since its wing patterns were very decorative). This is indeed one of the most exciting insects I can recall seeing; I'm glad you had the chance to see it.

Cheers,

Dean Jacobson