Hummingbird Moth

Mary Androff captured these great photos of a Hummingbird Moth sipping nectar from the beautiful hibiscus blooms in her yard. Like hummingbirds and bats, these moths have the ability to hover, rapidly beating their wings to sustain their position. This may be a female since the body tapers off at the end. Males typically have a tuft at the back end of the abdomen, which mimics the spread tail feathers of a hovering hummingbird. While most moths are active at night, Hummingbird Moths can be seen feeding during the day.
Great photos, Mary!

the wings are beating so fast you can hardly see them

To view a Hummingbird Moth in action, check out this YouTube video. This moth happens to be a White-Lined Sphinx Hummingbird Moth...not exactly like the one in Mary's garden, but close. "Common Clearwing" and "Hummingbird Hawk Moth" are others in the same family and also found in Wisconsin.