Caught napping

QCROFTON ARBUTHNOT from De Kelders writes: What is the name of this unusual moth?

AEntomologist DUNCAN MACFADYEN says: Thank you for the wonderful photo of a common bee hawk-moth. You don’t often see this moth at rest because it flies almost like a hummingbird – rapidly beating its wings (see inset). It’s a smallish moth and resembles a bee at a quick glance. It’s diurnal and feeds during the day on tubular flowers in gardens, like lavender. The species is widespread across the northern and eastern parts of South Africa and is generally common in gardens with suitable flowers. I’ve seen them in my garden in Pretoria.