If you happen to spot this interesting creature in nature, there’s a good chance that you may mistake it for a tiny hummingbird, as its movements perfectly mimic those of the small yet fast bird, as it seems to hover in the air above flowers it’s feeding from - yet the photographer John Borg managed to perfectly capture one in action!

In reality, just like the hummingbird, its wings would be flapping at a very high frequency in order to keep the insect’s body in midair while it feeds. Another distinctly hummingbird-like feature of this insect is the long tongue it uses to pick up the pollen from flowers, which resembles the bird’s long, narrow beak used to reach into flowers for their nectar.

The Hummingbird hawk moth, despite its unusual appearance when compared to other moths, is actually quite common in Malta and Gozo as it tends to breed in warmer zones, and can be spotted in various countryside areas around the islands. So next time you’re out in nature, keep your eyes peeled among the flowers and you might just spot this fascinating creature!

Have you ever seen one?