What is "sphinx moth"

Sphinx \Sphinx\, n. [L., from Gr. sfi`gx, usually derived from sfi`ggein to bind tight or together, as if the Throttler.]

1. 1. In Egyptian art, an image of granite or porphyry, having a human head, or the head of a ram or of a hawk, upon the wingless body of a lion.

      The awful ruins of the days of old . . . Or jasper tomb, or mutilated sphinx.
      --Shelley.

   2. On Greek art and mythology, a she-monster, usually represented as having the winged body of a lion, and the face and breast of a young woman.

      Note: The most famous Grecian sphinx, that of Thebes in B[oe]otia, is said to have proposed a riddle to the Thebans, and killed those who were unable to guess it. The enigma was solved by [OE]dipus, whereupon the sphinx slew herself. ``Subtle as sphinx.''
      --Shak.

2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy.

3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family Sphingid[ae]; -- called also hawk moth. See also tomato worm.

   Note: The larva is a stout naked caterpillar which, when at rest, often assumes a position suggesting the Egyptian sphinx, whence the name.

4. (Zo["o]l.) The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon ( Cynocephalus sphinx).

   Sphinx baboon (Zo["o]l.), a large West African baboon ( Cynocephalus sphinx), often kept in menageries.

   Sphinx moth. (Zo["o]l.) Same as Sphinx, 3.

n. any of various moths with long narrow forewings capable of powerful flight and hovering over flowers to feed [syn: hawkmoth, hawk moth, sphingid, hummingbird moth]