Nature

The Hummingbird Moth

A prime example of convergent evolution. Is it a bird? Is it a bug? It’s a Hyles lineata, the white-lined sphinx or hummingbird moth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. They can be located within parts of Central America, through the United States and into Canada. This little guy was spotted in Colorado's wine country, Palisade, CO.

The resemblance to hummingbirds is an example of convergent evolution. Convergent evolution is the independent evolution of similar features in species of different lineages (aka this moth and a hummingbird). In popular culture, Hummingbird hawk-moths have been seen as a lucky omen.