I've seen these little guys when I have been out and about in the flower gardens, but I kind of always assumed they were in the bee, wasp, hornet family.
It turns out they are actually a form of moth known as Hummingbird Moths...who knew?! Well some of you probably knew, but I sure didn't.
They are quite large, and are often mistaken for hummingbirds because they feed and behave much like their avian counterparts.
They use their nifty little proboscis, the long needle like thing that comes out of their mouth, to collect nectar. It curls up, like a coiled rope or hose, when it's not drinking nectar.
I remember the word proboscis from biology and botany/zoology classes way back in college, but had shoved it from my memory until I looked up these cool creatures today.
Apparently Hummingbird Moths love clear sunny days, which it certainly is today, albeit a hot and humid one. The image above is my favorite, because I love the whirling of his or her wings, it creates a cool effect.
So today I learned something new...that moths come in all shapes and sizes...including one that acts and looks like a hummingbird! Nature never ceases to amaze me.
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