sphinx moth
noun
: hawk moth
Note: The larvae of the hawk or sphinx moth often assume a defensive position in which the front end is raised in a manner suggestive of the Egyptian sphinx.
Examples of sphinx moth in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Chickadees, nuthatches, and other songbirds love Virginia creeper berries, and these vines are also host plants for several types of sphinx moths.
—
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024
However, some species of hawk moths and sphinx moths are less frequently observed due to their specific habitat requirements and limited distribution.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2024
When experimenting with the sphinx moth caterpillars (Manduca sexta), the researchers placed the caterpillar in a hard plastic sleeve with holes and then made an incision in one of its prolegs.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 8 Apr. 2024
White, green and yellow striped tomato hornworms are the caterpillars of sphinx moths!
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2023
Under attack, the Nessus sphinx moth caterpillar emits a sort of crackling buzz from its mouth.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2018
Conservation photographer Mac Stone used a camera trap to capture the first-ever photo of a giant sphinx moth visiting a ghost orchid.
—Steven Bedard, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2019
The huge sphinx moth and their large caterpillars are out and about.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2022
For example, the aforementioned and dreaded tomato hornworm metamorphizes into the large sphinx moth, a nighttime pollinator important to pitahaya and other night-blooming plants.
—Linda Jones, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2020
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Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024
However, some species of hawk moths and sphinx moths are less frequently observed due to their specific habitat requirements and limited distribution.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2024
When experimenting with the sphinx moth caterpillars (Manduca sexta), the researchers placed the caterpillar in a hard plastic sleeve with holes and then made an incision in one of its prolegs.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 8 Apr. 2024
White, green and yellow striped tomato hornworms are the caterpillars of sphinx moths!
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2023
Under attack, the Nessus sphinx moth caterpillar emits a sort of crackling buzz from its mouth.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2018
Conservation photographer Mac Stone used a camera trap to capture the first-ever photo of a giant sphinx moth visiting a ghost orchid.
—Steven Bedard, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2019
The huge sphinx moth and their large caterpillars are out and about.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2022
For example, the aforementioned and dreaded tomato hornworm metamorphizes into the large sphinx moth, a nighttime pollinator important to pitahaya and other night-blooming plants.
—Linda Jones, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Sphinx moth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sphinx%20moth. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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