hummingbird moth

noun

: a hawk moth (as Hemaris thysbe) that is often active during the day, is typically tan and reddish brown or black and yellow, has wings more or less devoid of scales except for a dark border, and resembles a hummingbird in darting from flower to flower and hovering while feeding compare bumblebee moth, hummingbird hawk-moth

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of hummingbird moth was in 1901

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hummingbird moth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hummingbird%20moth. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation