Rare Hummingbird Hawk-Moth Captured in Flight

Incredible split-second photographs have captured the rare hummingbird hawk-moth in flight, highlighting its remarkably fast wing beats. The images, taken by Andrew Fusek-Peters, depict the moth's agility as it maneuvers and feeds.

The hummingbird hawk-moth earns its name from its rapid wing movements, which can reach up to 90 beats per second, producing an audible hum. This rapid wing beat allows the moth to hover and dart with precision, similar to hummingbirds.

Originally a summer visitor to Britain, migrating from southern Europe and North Africa, the species can now be observed in the UK throughout most of the year. Due to increasingly warmer summers, the moth now breeds within Britain and frequently overwinters there.

The moth's ability to hover and its fast wing beat enable it to easily access nectar from deep within flower stems, such as those of red valerian, which was featured in the photographs.