Saturday, August 4, 2012

African Humming Bird Moth (Macroglossum trochilus)

Family Sphingidae
After all these years of taking pictures of our smaller critters, I have learnt not to be surprised when I find something which does not look to be what it is, as in the case of this Humming Bird Moth. You wonder how it can be classified as a MOTH when it clearly looks like a BEE. :)

Not only that, but they feed on the same kind of food as bees do eg. tubular flowers and especially lavender. They are about the same size and coloration too.
See also: http://saphotographs.blogspot.com/2009/02/african-humming-bird-moth_11.html