Any moth of the family Sphingidae, of which there are
   numerous genera and species. They are large, handsome moths, which fly
   mostly at twilight and hover about flowers like a humming bird, sucking
   the honey by means of a long, slender proboscis. The larvae 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.