ˈhawk-moth
A moth of the family Sphingidæ or Sphingina; a sphinx-moth; so called from their manner of flight, which resembles the hovering and darting of a hawk. There are many genera and species, as death's-head h., elephant h., humming-bird h., privet h.: see these words.
| 1785 M. Martin (title), The Aurelian's Vade Mecum; containing..Catalogue of Plants affording Nourishment to Butterflies, Hawk-moths..and Moths in the state of Caterpillars. 1847 Carpenter Zool. §707 The larvæ of the Hawk-Moths have always sixteen feet. 1851 Medlock tr. Schoedler's Zool. 565 Lepidopterous insects are..ranked as Butterflies, Moths, and Sphinges or hawk-moths. |