The
hummingbird hawk-moth (
Macroglossum stellatarum) is a species of
hawk moth found across temperate regions of
Eurasia, from Portugal to Japan. Its long
proboscis (25–28 mm; 0.98–1.10 in) and its hovering behavior, accompanied by an audible humming noise, give it a resemblance to the
hummingbird. Like hummingbirds, it feeds on flowers which have tube-shaped
corollae; this is an example of
convergent evolution. The hummingbird hawk-moth flies during the day, especially in bright sunshine, but also at dusk, dawn, and even in the rain, which is unusual for even diurnal hawkmoths. It engages in free hovering flight, which allows more maneuverability and control than fixed-wing flight, despite high energetic cost. This hummingbird hawk-moth in flight was photographed near Yastrebets in
Rila, a mountain range in Bulgaria.
Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp