Most people mistake this little guy for a hummingbird or bee. I absolutely adore these little guys although I don’t think I had ever seen one until I moved down to Southwestern Minnesota.
For years I have been trying to catch these guys in action, but they are quick and usually hard to get photos of. I lucked out while we were enjoying the beautiful weather and a beer up by the garden the other night.
This guy seemed amused by us, and let me get very close which I was thrilled with! 
The Hummingbird Moth is a member of the Sphinx Moth family, and although its larvae (a small green hornworm) closely resembles the tomato hornworm/Five-Spotted Hawkmoth which are notorious vegetable garden pests, the Hummingbird Moth caterpillars feed non-destructively on the foliage of native shrubs and trees.
The main host plants of the Hummingbird Moth is herbs & shrubs. The only place I seem to catch them is on our lilacs & honeysuckle that line our property. 
I hope you have a beautiful day.
xx
About Bethany
Nice photos, didn’t any of that information that you shared
Great photos!
I learned something new today
Do they sound like hummingbirds in flight too?
Hey Steph! No the are pretty quiet compared to the hummingbirds. They are almost as quick though.
Beautiful! We occasionally see them too in north central Iowa. I’ve never been lucky enough to have the camera handy. :~( Good job!