What is an insect like a hummingbird?

Walking along the forest edge or admiring the flowerbed on the warm summer evenings, you could witness an extraordinary amazing spectacle: a flower hovers over ... a hummingbird. But, as a sensible person, immediately calms yourself: these birds are not found in our latitudes. So what is it - an insect that looks like a hummingbird, or is nature all crazy? What miracles does not happen!

Amazing insect similar to a hummingbird

And if you happen to see such a miracle, then you know, you met a butterfly of a family of brave men, of which there are more than a thousand species. They are also called linguists. Indeed, this insect, similar to a hummingbird, is easily confused with an Australian bird. The butterfly's body is very powerful and quite large. Brazhniki are considered the best fliers among the scaly-winged. They can reach speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour. They feed on flower nectar, hanging in the air above the flower. Brazhniki are spread all over the world, they live in the tropics, and in Siberia, and in the Crimea. And although these butterflies are considered nocturnal insects, they can often be found in the daytime. As mentioned above, their main food is nectar, but there are also such specimens that do not eat anything at all, since they have an underdeveloped proboscis. And, consequently, this type of gazelle lives for a very short time, after mating and laying eggs the butterflies die. The appearance of butterfly birds is very beautiful, and, by the way, caterpillars are no less beautiful. As a rule, they are very large and brightly colored, and at the posterior end of the body a horn is seen. If you take such a caterpillar in your hands, it shrinks and starts to twitch from side to side, trying to scare off the enemies. And some also pierce. Let's get acquainted with some types of these wonderful butterflies.

Brazier antey

In South and Central America, the largest representative of the brave men is the brave Antey. Indeed, this insect, similar to a hummingbird (photo presented in the article), can be confused with a bird - the wingspan of it is about 18 centimeters. The color of the butterfly is indeed "bird" - gray-brown with yellow patterns on the sides and along the edge of the wings. They fly all year round, because the climate allows. Antey caterpillar is very large, in yellow-green stripes.

Bracelet oleander

This butterfly is unusually beautiful! The wingspan is relatively small - 100-158 mm. The body and wings are covered with a complex pattern. So butterfly is easier to hide. The insect flies from July to October. Occurs in Africa and Asia, rarely found in Europe. Caterpillars feed on oleander and periwinkle. And although these plants are poisonous, dangerous substances do not accumulate in the body of an insect, which makes it vulnerable to predators.

Brazhnik "the dead head"

You probably met this butterfly more than once. You can learn it from an intimidating figure on the chest in the form of a human skull. Actually, because of the above image, it got its name. Every spring this insect, similar to a hummingbird, flies to us from Africa to breed, but the butterfly hibernates in its homeland, as our winters are too harsh for them. Flies from July to October. Inhabits nearby potato fields. It feeds on flower nectar and simply adores honey. Therefore, often flies into bee hives for a delicacy. The fodder plant of caterpillars is solanaceous.

Winged beetle, similar to a hummingbird

Yes, sometimes they are also confused with beetles because of the impressive size and sounds produced. Here are such amazing brave men: they squeak, they love honey and pretend to be a bird. And how much more unusual is nature in it!