For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Death's Head Moth (Acherontia atropos)

These are large moths with a wingspan of up to 11cm (about 4”) and belong to the Sphingidae family.
They get their name from the skull-like marking on their thorax.
Adults raid beehives for honey.
They can squeak through the proboscis, producing a sound that may serve as protection by mimicking the sound of the queen bee and immobilizing worker bees.
Larvae feed on potato, tomato and other nightshades such as Cape Gooseberry, Lantana and cotton amongst other species of plants.