sphinx moth

American  

noun

1. hawk moth.

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sphinx moth British  

noun

1. another name for the hawk moth

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Etymology

Origin of sphinx moth

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Also called the ajo lily, it grows from a deep bulb, has long, wavy-edged leaves and is pollinated by sphinx moths.

From Los Angeles Times

“A way to see the moths is looking at deep-throated flowers on summer nights, like Monarda, that the sphinx moths nectar at,” Mr. Cipkowski said.

From New York Times

And as a Nature’s Notebook participant, I’ve been delighted to witness green lynx spiders, crab spiders and sphinx moth larvae making their homes in the desert willow tree I observe in my backyard.

From Scientific American

This year, an extraordinary proliferation of painted lady butterflies and sphinx moth caterpillars are part of the natural spectacle too.

From The Guardian

A sphinx moth, a species with a wingspan as much as 5in across, was reported by a baffled resident as being some sort of bird.

From The Guardian