Hummingbird moths colonise UK

The charity Butterfly Conservation is asking wildlife-watchers to check their gardens for tiny hummingbird-like moths, in a bid to find out if a striking European insect is colonising the UK.

Hummingbird hawk-moths, which typically visit from continental Europe during the summer, may be spending the winter in sheltered spots or even greenhouses of Southern England.

The moths beat their wings 80 times per second, allowing them to hover over flower heads and feed on nectar.

Spotting a hummingbird hawk-moth has long been considered a good omen - a small swarm of the orange and brown moths was famously seen flying over the Channel on D-Day in 1944.

The survey is part of national "Moth Night" and sightings can be reported online.

Footage and photographs courtesy of Butterfly Conservation

Video by Victoria Gill