SPHINX, in zoology, a genus of insects belonging to the order of lepidoptera. There are seven species, all of them commonly called moths of different kinds. The name of sphinx is given them on account of the singular attitude of their caterpillars, who apply the hinder part of their body to a branch of a tree, holding the rest of it erect, like the fabulous sphinx. Most of them spin their cod under ground, making them up with small parcels of earth and grains of corn interwoven with threads. The sphinges fly either early in the morning or after sunset in the evening. They fly heavily and sluggishly, often emitting a kind of sound. One species, the atropos, or jessamine hawk-moth, has the thorax marked somewhat like a death's head. It has a shrill voice, more dismal than the squeaking of a mouse. All the species suck the nectar of flowers, though they seldom settle upon them.