Nectar sources of the Iberian Sphingidae (Lepidoptera)

Sphingidae moths are attracted to flowers that produce large amounts of nectar. They are able to fly by hovering and so pollinate which requires a lot of energy. That energy is provided by the sugars in the nectar of the flowers. From the moth''s perspective it is getting a reward in the form of nectar from a flower. But what does the flower gain by employing a moth as a pollinator instead of using a bee hummingbird syrphid beetle etc.? Sphingidae moths can be long-distance fliers often traveling several miles in one night in search of nectar. This means that pollen is carried farther away from the plant where it originated which could lead to greater genetic diversity for plants. In addition since moths do not eat or clean up the pollen that accumulates on their bodies when they visit a flower any pollen on them has the potential to be deposited on the next flower rather than being lost.