low hum

Perhaps the most impressive insect in the garden at the moment is the macroglossum stellatarum (hummingbird hawk-moth).  It seems to like the lavender at the front of the house, and can be found there from time to time hovering around the purple flowers.  It always appears to be on the move, darting in and out and probing for nectar or pollen by means of a proboscis that is almost as long as its body, no doubt enabling it to reach for food that is out of range of many other insects.

As it flies, its wings make a soft low hum around the E below the bass clef, similar to the dragonfly mentioned below, but without the clatter of the dragonfly’s wing noise.  So far, these two insects are contenders for the prize of lowest pitched buzz.