sphinx moth

American  

noun

1. hawk moth.

---

sphinx moth British  

noun

1. another name for the hawk moth

---

Etymology

Origin of sphinx moth

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

“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

“Unless this is a sphinx moth caterpillar who has been stressed and agitated into displaying its osmeterium,” says Jackson.

From National Geographic