death's-head moth

noun

a European hawk moth, Acherontia atropos, having markings on the back of the thorax that resemble a human skull.

death's-head moth

noun

a European hawk moth, Acherontia atropos, having markings resembling a human skull on its upper thorax

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Word History and Origins

Origin of death's-head moth¹

First recorded in 1775–85

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The brush of a death's-head moth against a cold black screen.

From

And you won't do that by dressing yourself like a dingy death's-head moth!

From

In districts where the hideous death's-head moth abounds, the bees erect little columns of wax at the entrance of the hive, and place them so closely together that the night-thief cannot pass through.

From

It is comparable with the skull and crossbones on the back of the death's-head moth.

From

When I opened the door of the morning room the death's-head moth was beating its strong wings against the window.

From

death's-head deathsman

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