The Sphingidae are a family of moths commonly called sphinx moths, also colloquially known as hawk moths, with many of their caterpillars known as "hornworms"; it includes about 1,450 species. It is best represented in the tropics, but species are found in every region. They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their agile and sustained flying ability, similar enough to that of hummingbirds as to be reliably mistaken for them. Their narrow wings and streamlined abdomens are adaptations for rapid flight. The family was named by French zoologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802.
The genus Deilephila is part of the family Sphingidae, the hawk-moths or sphinxes. The genus was erected by Jakob Heinrich Laspeyres in 1809. It consists of a small number of Palearctic species most of which have common names involving the phrase "elephant hawk moth". They include the elephant hawk moth, Deilephila elpenor; the small elephant hawk moth and the Chitral elephant hawk moth. The oleander hawk moth is sometimes classified in this genus as D. nerii, but sometimes treated in genus Daphnis.
Agrius convolvuli, the convolvulus hawk-moth, is a large hawk-moth. It is common throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, partly as a migrant. In New Zealand, it is also known as the kumara moth, and in the Māori language as hīhue.
Psilogramma menephron, the privet hawk moth or large brown hawkmoth, is a member of the family Sphingidae. It was described by Pieter Cramer in 1780. It is usually found in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, central and southern China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. Psilogramma casuarinae from eastern Australia was long treated as a synonym but is now thought to be a distinct species. The introduced population on Hawaii was first thought to be P. menephron, but is Psilogramma increta.
Sphinx ligustri, the privet hawk moth, is a moth found in most of the Palearctic realm. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
The Arrerntepeople, sometimes referred to as the Aranda, Arunta or Arrarnta, are a group of Aboriginal Australian peoples who live in the Arrernte lands, at Mparntwe and surrounding areas of the Central Australia region of the Northern Territory. Many still speak one of the various Arrernte dialects. Some Arrernte live in other areas far from their homeland, including the major Australian cities and overseas.
Hyles lineata, also known as the white-lined sphinx, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. They are sometimes known as the hummingbird moth because of their bird-like size and flight patterns.
Theretra nessus, the yam hawk moth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. It was described by Dru Drury in 1773.
Theretra silhetensis, the brown-banded hunter hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae described by Francis Walker in 1856. It lives in Indo-Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, East Australia, Solomon Islands, Fiji Islands, Vanuatu Islands.
Xylophanes crotonis is a moth of the family Sphingidae first described by Francis Walker in 1870.
Marumba quercus, the oak hawk-moth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775.
Hyles livornica, the striped hawk-moth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae.
Hyles calida, the Hawaiian sphinx, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1881. It is endemic to Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Hawaii.
Hippotion boerhaviae, the pale striated hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae.
Hippotion velox, the dark striated hawkmoth, is a species of sphingid moth or the family Sphingidae. The species was described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1793.
Macroglossum insipida, the hermit hummingbird hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. It was described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1875.
Hyles dahlii is a moth of the family Sphingidae first described by Carl Geyer in 1828.
Hyles nicaea, the Mediterranean hawk-moth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Leonardo de Prunner in 1798.
Psilogramma casuarinae, the Australasian privet hawk moth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1856. It is known from New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Queensland, all in Australia.
Coequosa triangularis, the double-headed hawk moth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae.
