mosquito hawk

noun

1. nighthawk.

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

mosquito hawk

noun

1. another name for nighthawk

Word History and Origins

Origin of mosquito hawk¹

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.

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

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

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

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For this reason it is sometimes called mosquito hawk.

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