Macrosila Carolina
(gcide) | Hawk moth \Hawk" moth`\ (m[o^]th`; 115). (Zool.)
Any moth of the family Sphingid[ae], of which there are
numerous genera and species. They are large, handsome moths
with long narrow forewings capable of powerful flight and
hovering over flowers to feed. They fly mostly at twilight
and hover about flowers like a humming bird, sucking the
honey by means of a long, slender proboscis. The larv[ae] are
large, hairless caterpillars ornamented with green and other
bright colors, and often with a caudal spine. See Sphinx,
also Tobacco worm, and Tomato worm.
Syn: hawk moth, sphingid, sphinx moth, hummingbird moth.
[1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5] Tobacco Hawk Moth
(Macrosila Carolina), and its Larva, the Tobacco Worm.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The larv[ae] of several species of hawk moths feed on
grapevines. The elm-tree hawk moth is {Ceratomia
Amyntor}.
[1913 Webster] |