mosquito hawk

American  

noun

1. nighthawk.

2. Also called skeeter hawk.  Chiefly Southern U.S.  dragonfly.

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mosquito hawk British  

noun

1. another name for nighthawk

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Regionalisms

See dragonfly.

Etymology

Origin of mosquito hawk

An Americanism dating back to 1700–10; so called because it feeds on nocturnal insects such as mosquitoes

Example Sentences

Crane flies are sometimes called mosquito hawks or mosquito eaters.

From Los Angeles Times

Sometimes called mosquito hawks, these pesky insects are clumsy fliers and often bob along walls or windows, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Why are there so many crane flies, often mistakenly called mosquito hawks, this year?

From Los Angeles Times

Then Mrs. Ernstein produced two trained sparrows, which she called her "mosquito hawks" and took with her everywhere.

From Project Gutenberg

For this reason it is sometimes called mosquito hawk.

From Project Gutenberg