Which moth family contains hawkmoths?

Hawkmoths belong to the moth family Sphingidae.

Sphingidae includes hawkmoths, sphinx moths, and hornworms. Many species are strong, fast fliers with streamlined bodies and long, narrow forewings. Their hovering flight allows them to feed from flowers using a long proboscis, sometimes while remaining almost stationary in the air.

The caterpillars are often called hornworms because many have a horn-like projection at the rear end. The horn is not a stinger and is usually harmless to people. Some species are important pollinators, while others are agricultural pests in their larval stage.

The family includes the hummingbird hawkmoth, the tobacco hornworm moth, and the death’s-head hawkmoths. “Sphinx moth” is another widely used common name, but Sphingidae is the formal taxonomic family name.