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.

---

death's-head moth British  

noun

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

---

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 Literature

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

From Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg

It is comparable with the skull and crossbones on the back of the death's-head moth.

From Project Gutenberg

Oh!" said I, "you mean that big sphinx moth that is commonly known as the 'death's-head moth.'

From Project Gutenberg