TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
HAWK MOTH [3 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2020-09-30
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Insects, Centipedes, Spiders, and Scorpions
Universal entry(ies) Record 1
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- hummingbird hawk moth
1, record 1, English, hummingbird%20hawk%20moth
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The hummingbird hawk moth is distributed throughout the northern Old World from Portugal to Japan, but it breeds mainly in warmer climates(southern Europe, North Africa, and points east). 2, record 1, English, - hummingbird%20hawk%20moth
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
A species of Lepidoptera in the family of Sphingidae. 3, record 1, English, - hummingbird%20hawk%20moth
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Not to be confused with Hemaris thysbe. 3, record 1, English, - hummingbird%20hawk%20moth
Record 1, Key term(s)
- humming-bird hawk moth
- hummingbird hawkmoth
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Insectes, mille-pattes, araignées et scorpions
Entrée(s) universelle(s) Record 1
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- moro-sphinx
1, record 1, French, moro%2Dsphinx
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- sphinx du caille-lait 2, record 1, French, sphinx%20du%20caille%2Dlait
correct, masculine noun
- macroglosse du caille-lait 2, record 1, French, macroglosse%20du%20caille%2Dlait
correct, masculine noun
- macroglosse des gaillets 2, record 1, French, macroglosse%20des%20gaillets
correct, masculine noun
- sphinx colibri 3, record 1, French, sphinx%20colibri
masculine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Espèce de lépidoptères de la famille des sphingidés. 4, record 1, French, - moro%2Dsphinx
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Ne pas confondre avec Hemaris thysbe. 4, record 1, French, - moro%2Dsphinx
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 1994-06-13
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Insects, Centipedes, Spiders, and Scorpions
- Animal Pests (Crops)
Universal entry(ies) Record 2
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- hawk moths
1, record 2, English, hawk%20moths
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- sphinx moths 2, record 2, English, sphinx%20moths
correct
- hawkmoths 3, record 2, English, hawkmoths
correct
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Sphinx moths are strong fliers, with a very rapid wing beat. They feed on flowers, much like hummingbirds. Most species feed at dusk or at night; a few feed during the day. Some species have large areas of the wings devoid of scales and resemble bumble bees. Larvae of most species have a soft spinelike process near the posterior end of the body and are often called hornworms; some are pests of tomatoes, tobacco, and other plants ... 4, record 2, English, - hawk%20moths
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
In Canada and Europe, examples of the Sphingidae family(formerly Smerinthidae) are more commonly called hawk moths, whereas in the U. S. A, the term "sphinx moth" is preferred. However both terms are used in Canada to refer to individual species e. g. pandora sphinx, but bedstraw hawkmoth. 5, record 2, English, - hawk%20moths
Record 2, Key term(s)
- hawk moth
- hawkmoth
- sphinx moth
- sphinx
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Insectes, mille-pattes, araignées et scorpions
- Animaux nuisibles aux cultures
Entrée(s) universelle(s) Record 2
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- sphinx
1, record 2, French, sphinx
correct, masculine noun, plural
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
- Sphingidés 2, record 2, French, Sphingid%C3%A9s
correct, masculine noun, plural
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Famille de papillons de nuit constituée des espèces suivantes, entre autres : Hyles lineata, Paonias excaecatus, Darapsa myron, Hyles gallii, Eumorpha pandorus, etc. Détermination : moyens ou grands papillons, corps robuste, ailes plutôt petites. Ils sont de bons voiliers à battement d'ailes très rapides et se nourrissent sur les fleurs. Certaines larves infestent tomates, tabac et autres plantes. Le terme «Sphingidés» représente l'équivalent français du terme latin. Au singulier, le terme dénote un insecte type de la famille des Sphingidés. 3, record 2, French, - sphinx
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
[Le nom «Sphinx» provient du fait que] les chenilles des Sphinx sont munies d'une corne à l'extrémité abdominale. Effrayées, elles prennent une position qui ressemble fort à celle du Sphinx d'Égypte. 4, record 2, French, - sphinx
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - internal organization data 1994-06-10
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Insects, Centipedes, Spiders, and Scorpions
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- eyed-hawk moth
1, record 3, English, eyed%2Dhawk%20moth
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
- eyed-sphinx moth 1, record 3, English, eyed%2Dsphinx%20moth
correct
- eyed hawkmoth 1, record 3, English, eyed%20hawkmoth
correct
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Not an officially sanctioned name of a moth, but rather a descriptive name given to a specific grouping of moths within the Sphingidae(or Smerinthidae) family(more commonly called Sphinx Moths or Hawk Moths) that have eyes on their wings. Examples of eyed-hawk moths : yellow eyed-hawk moth, pink eyed-hawk moth. In Canada and Europe, examples of the Sphingidae family are more commonly called hawk moths, whereas in the U. S. A, the term "sphinx moth" is preferred. However both terms are used in Canada to refer to individual species e. g. pandora sphinx, but bedstraw hawkmoth 1, record 3, English, - eyed%2Dhawk%20moth
Record 3, Key term(s)
- eyed-hawkmoth
- hawkmoth with eyespot
- hawk moth with eyespot
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Insectes, mille-pattes, araignées et scorpions
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- sphinx à ocelles
1, record 3, French, sphinx%20%C3%A0%20ocelles
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
[Les ocelles colorés des Sphinx] servent à effrayer l'ennemi lorsque le papillon [de nuit] découvre ses ailes secondaires. 2, record 3, French, - sphinx%20%C3%A0%20ocelles
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 OBS
[Le nom «Sphinx» provient du fait que] les chenilles des Sphinx sont munies d'une corne à l'extrémité abdominale. Effrayées, elles prennent une position qui ressemble fort à celle du Sphinx d'Égypte. 2, record 3, French, - sphinx%20%C3%A0%20ocelles
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 3 OBS
Espèces typiques au Québec : Smerinthus jamaicensis (sphinx géminé), Smerinthus cerisyi (sphinx du saule). 1, record 3, French, - sphinx%20%C3%A0%20ocelles
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: