hummingbird moth

noun

1. hawk moth.

hummingbird moth

noun

1. another name for the hawk moth

Word History and Origins

Origin of hummingbird moth¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

Butterfly bushes are invasive, but they are also pretty and are fodder for not only butterflies but also hummingbirds and hummingbird moths, as well as the occasional bee.

From Washington Post

The charity Butterfly Conservation is asking wildlife-watchers to check their gardens for tiny hummingbird moths, in a bid to find out if a striking day-flying moth is attempting to colonise the UK.

From BBC

I was sitting on the kitchen floor of a cottage in France swearing my head off and a hummingbird moth, tiny and delicate, flew round me twice.

From The Guardian