The African death's-head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) is a large hawk moth, widely recognized for the vaguely skull-shaped pattern adorning its thorax. This characteristic gives the moth its common and scientific names. The name death's-head hawkmoth refers to any of three moth species of the genus Acherontia (Acherontia atropos, Acherontia styx and Acherontia lachesis).
The species names atropos, lachesis and styx are all from Greek myth and related to death. The first refers to the member of the three Moirai who cuts the threads of life of all beings; the second to the Moira who allots the correct amount of life to a being; and the last refers to the river of the dead.
Let's delve into the fascinating world of this intriguing insect.
The distinctive skull-like marking on the thorax of Acherontia atropos. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Classification and Identification
Acherontia atropos is the most widely recognized of three species within the genus Acherontia, the other two being Acherontia lachesis and Acherontia styx.
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- Acherontia atropos: Commonly found in Southern Europe and throughout much of Africa, considered a native species there.
- Acherontia styx: Found in Asia.
- Acherontia lachesis: Found in India and other parts of Asia.
Physical Characteristics
The African death's-head hawkmoth is the largest moth in the British Isles and several other regions it inhabits, with a wingspan of 5 in (13 cm) (or 80-120 mm). It is a powerful flier, sometimes found on ships far from land. Its wing and body structure is typical of that seen in the family Sphingidae.
The species shows sexual dimorphism, as in most Lepidoptera. Female moths of this species tend to be larger than males, appearing bulkier and sporting larger, more robust abdomens. The abdomen of a male Acherotia atropos is less broad, with a pointed distal (lower) abdominal segment. In contrast, the females of the species have a distal abdominal segment that is rounded off at the tip.
Key Features:
- Forewings: Mottled dark brown and pale brown.
- Hindwings: Orangey-buff with two narrow dark bands parallel with the hind margin.
- Abdomen: Similar orangey-brown, with a broad, dark dorsal stripe. Yellow striping that highly resembles the colour patterns of a hornet extends part way across each abdominal segment.
- Thorax: A patch of short yellowish hairs that gives the impression of depicting a human skull.
The moths are big: A. styx, has a wingspan between 3 and 5.11 inches; A. lachesis, the largest, has a wingspan of 4 to 5.19 inches; and A. atropos has a wingspan of 3.5 to 5.11 inches.
Death's-head hawkmoth caterpillar. Source: iNaturalist
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The Caterpillar
The caterpillar of the African death's-head hawkmoth is also sturdy and somewhat variable in colour, being some shade of buff, green or brown, with seven diagonal blue lines. At the rear is a curved, thornlike horn. It can attain a length of 5 to 6 in (13 to 15 cm). The other two species of death's-head hawkmoth similarly have three larval color forms: typically, green, brown and yellow.
The caterpillars come in three colors-bright yellow, bright green, or a mottled brown-and have a tail horn that changes color and curves as the larvae mature. When threatened, they click their mandibles and try to bite their attacker!
Distribution and Habitat
Acherontia atropos occurs throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean region, much of Africa down to the southern tip, and increasingly as far north as southern Great Britain due to recently mild British winters. It occurs as far east as India and western Saudi Arabia, and as far west as the Canary Islands and Azores. It invades western Eurasia frequently, although few individuals successfully overwinter.
Annually, A. atropos migrates to parts of Great Britain, most numerously to the British Isles, where it is less commonly seen than in its native place of residency. Sometimes the young generation appears even above the Arctic Circle.
This enigmatic moth enjoys allotments, gardens and (organic) potato fields. In the UK, the Death’s-head Hawk-moth tends to be spotted between August and October. The Death’s-head Hawk-moth is an immigrant to the UK from continental Europe and Africa and is usually spotted in south and east England. However, it has been spotted as far north as the Shetlands and as far west as western Ireland.
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Distribution of Acherontia atropos. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Life Cycle and Behavior
There are several generations of Acherontia atropos per year, with continuous broods in Africa. In the northern parts of its range the species overwinters in the pupal stage.
Deaths head hawk moth FULL LIFE CYCLE
Eggs are laid singly under old leaves of Solanaceae: potato especially, but also Physalis and other nightshades. However it also has been recorded on members of the Verbenaceae, e.g. Lantana, and on members of the families Cannabaceae, Oleaceae, Pedaliaceae and others. The newly hatched larva starts out light green with yellow stripes diagonally on the sides, but darken after feeding.
Eggs are laid singly under old leaves of a host plant and are green or greyish-blue. None of the three species is restricted to a single family of host plant, but hosts are typically in the families Solanaceae, Verbenaceae, Oleaceae, Bignoniaceae and others.
The larvae are stout with a posterior horn, as is typical of larvae of the Sphingidae. Most sphingid larvae however, have fairly smooth posterior horns, possibly with a simple curve, either upward or downward. In contrast, Acherontia species and certain relatives bear a posterior horn embossed with round projections about the thicker part.
The larvae are stout, reaching 120-130 mm, with a prominent tail horn. Larvae do not move much, and will click their mandibles or even bite if threatened.
Larval Development:
- First Instar: Light green with yellow stripes diagonally on the sides.
- Second Instar: Thornlike horns develop on the back.
- Third Instar: Purple or blue edging develops on the yellow stripes, and the tail horn turns from black to yellow.
- Final Instar: Thorns disappear, and the larva may adopt one of three color morphs: green, brown, or yellow.
The larva grows to about 120-130 mm, and pupates in an underground chamber.
The caterpillars molt four times before it’s time to pupate, at which point they cover themselves with a saliva-like secretion and go to ground. When they find a suitable spot, they burrow 5 to 15 inches below the surface and shed their skins.
Unique Behaviors
This species displays a number of behaviours not normally seen in Lepidoptera.
- Sound Production: Unlike most moths, which generate noise by rubbing external body parts together, all three species within the genus Acherontia are capable of producing a "squeak" from the pharynx, a response triggered by external agitation. The moth sucks in air, causing an internal flap between the mouth and throat to vibrate at a rapid speed. The "squeak" described is produced upon the exhalation when the flap is open. It is unclear exactly why the moth emits this sound. One thought is that the squeak may be used to deter potential predators. Due to its unusual method of producing sound, the squeak created by Acherontia atropos is especially startling. The adults moths squeak when alarmed! They create the noise by expelling air through their proboscis (tongue).
- Beehive Raiding: Adults of all three species are commonly observed raiding beehives of different species of honey bee; A. atropos only invades colonies of the well-known western honey bee, Apis mellifera, and feeds on both nectar and honey. The death’s-head hawkmoth prefers to raid beehives rather than gather its own nectar. Somehow, the moth is able to sneak into a hive and drink honey right from the comb. There is contradicting theories as to how the moth can enter and exit a hive without getting stung. The answer to the moth´s thieving abilities lies in recent studies which indicate the death’s-head hawkmoth is chemically “invisible” to bees. Recently research shows that the moths excrete an odor that contains the same compounds present in honeybee odor, which might mask their presence from the bees.
Cultural Significance and Superstitions
In spite of the fact that Acherontia atropos is perfectly harmless except as a minor pest to crops and to beehives, the fancied skull pattern has burdened the moth with a negative reputation, such as associations with the supernatural and evil.
There are numerous superstitions to the effect that the moth brings bad luck to the house into which it flies, and that death or misfortune may be expected to follow. It appeared in The Hireling Shepherd, in Bram Stoker's Dracula and in films such as Un Chien Andalou and the promotional marquee posters for The Silence of the Lambs. In the latter film, the moth is used as a calling card by the serial killer Buffalo Bill, and though the movie script refers to Acherontia styx, the moths that appear in the film are Acherontia atropos. This moth is referred to in The Mothman Prophecies.
Appearances in Media:
- Literature: Bram Stoker's Dracula, Thomas Hardy's The Return of the Native, John Keats' "Ode to Melancholy".
- Film: Un Chien Andalou, The Silence of the Lambs, The Blood Beast Terror.
- Games: Remothered: Tormented Fathers.
The Silence of the Lambs poster featuring the African Death's-Head Hawkmoth. Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomic Names Origins
The scientific name for the African death’s head hawkmoth is Acherontia atropos, which is equally as ominous as its common name. The species and genus names are both derived from Greek terms having to do with scary, spooky, ominous things surrounding death.
Name Origins:
- Atropos (Greek): Was one of three sisters who controlled fate and destiny. She was the one who cut the thread of life.
- Acherontia: Derived from Acheron, which is a river in Greece. In ancient mythology, the river led to the underworld.
The Eastern Death’s head hawkmoth’s genus is styx is Greek for the river that ran through the underworld and also the goddess who controlled it. The greater death’s head hawkmoth’s genus name is lachesis, which is the second Moirai sister’s name. She was the one who measured life’s thread.
Table: Comparison of Acherontia Species
| Species | Common Name | Distribution | Wingspan | Larval Color Forms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acherontia atropos | African Death's-Head Hawkmoth | Europe, Africa | 3.5 - 5.11 inches | Green, brown, yellow |
| Acherontia styx | Eastern Death's-Head Hawkmoth | Asia | 3 - 5.11 inches | Bright yellow |
| Acherontia lachesis | Greater Death's-Head Hawkmoth | Asia | 4 - 5.19 inches | Bright green |
