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

Rebecca had caught the death's-head moth in the kitchen.

From Jacob's Room by Woolf, Virginia

What should an old death's-head moth know, whose eyes were so weak that a farthing rushlight blinded them?

From Bimbi by Ouida

The death's-head moth crawled shivering on the rug.

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

We bent over it together, Lys clinging to me, and we saw that it was a death's-head moth drenched with rain.

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