death's-head moth

American  

noun

1. a European hawk moth, Acherontia atropos, having markings on the back of the thorax that resemble a human skull.

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death's-head moth British  

noun

1. a European hawk moth, Acherontia atropos, having markings resembling a human skull on its upper thorax

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Etymology

Origin of death's-head moth

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

The brush of a death's-head moth against a cold black screen.

From "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury

Somewhat unpleasantly conspicuous amongst these ingredients were the death's-head moth, and the soil from Satan's grave.

From The Sorcery Club by O'Donnell, Elliott

In districts where the hideous death's-head moth abounds, the bees erect little columns of wax at the entrance of the hive, and place them so closely together that the night-thief cannot pass through.

From The Children's Life of the Bee by Maeterlinck, Maurice

And you won't do that by dressing yourself like a dingy death's-head moth!

From Chippinge Borough by Weyman, Stanley J.

The death's-head moth lay on the rug before the fire where I had left it.

From Famous Modern Ghost Stories by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)