Definition of "hawkmoth" [hawkmoth]

• Any of various thick-bodied moths of the family Sphingidae, having long narrow forewings and characteristically feeding by hovering over flowers and sucking nectar through an extended proboscis. Also called sphinx moth. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Probably because the hawkmoth is a better pollinator than hummingbirds -- it travels farther and visits more plants."
• "Fabulous find, the photos of the hummingbird hawkmoth."
• "[…] Diane says: Caught your hawkmoth posting the other week."