Hawk moth

Japanese: スズメガ(雀蛾) - スズメガ（英語表記）hawk moth

A general term for insects of the Lepidoptera family Sphingidae. They vary in size, with wingspans ranging from 3cm to over 15cm, but mainly include medium to large moths. There are about 1,000 species recorded worldwide, and 70 species recorded in Japan, including a few albatrosses. They have thick, spindle-shaped bodies, slender wings, long triangular forewings, and pointed tips. They have strong muscles and many species with strong flying power. They are generally nocturnal, but some, such as the Japanese bush cricket (illustration), are active at dusk and suck nectar from flowers, and there are also quite a few diurnal flying species, such as the hawk moth and the large hawk moth (illustration).

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

鱗翅目スズメガ科Sphingidaeの昆虫の総称。翅の開張3cmから15cmを超えるものまで，大きさはさまざまだが，主として中型から大型のガ類を含む。世界には約1000種，日本では二，三の偶産種を含め70種記録されている。体は太く紡錘形，翅は細長く，前翅は長い三角形で，翅頂はとがっている。強壮な筋肉をもち，飛翔（ひしよう）力の強い種が多い。一般に夜行性だが，エビガラスズメ（イラスト）のように夕暮れ時に活動し，花みつを吸うものもあるし，ホウジャク類やオオスカシバ（イラスト）のように昼飛性の種もかなりある。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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