Is it a hummingbird? No, it’s a white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata)! These moths hover in front of flowers and drink nectar through their proboscis, a tube that extends from the front of their heads. Sphinx moths look, move, and eat like hummingbirds, but they are not closely related. Hummingbirds and sphinx moths–creatures from two different branches on the tree of life–have evolved similar traits to fill similar ecological niches. This phenomenon of two unrelated species forming similar ad

This small-eyed sphinx moth recently emerged from the pupa stage! After emerging from the cocoon, moths crawl around to allow their wings to fully dry out before taking flight. | Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife