hawkmoth Definition

any of a family (Sphingidae) of large, stout-bodied, swift-flying moths that are sometimes active during the day and have long, narrow, more or less pointed forewings, small hind wings, and a very long proboscis which at rest is kept coiled and are typically capable of hovering while feeding on the nectar of flowers —called also sphinx moth

a large dark hawk moth (Acherontia atropos) especially of Mediterranean regions with markings resembling a human skull on the back of the thorax —called also death's-head moth