# Death's-head Hawkmoth (*Acherontia atropos*) The Death's-head Hawkmoth is a large and unusual moth known for the skull pattern on its back. It has a mysterious look! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Forests and gardens - **Also known as:** Acherontia Moth, Death's-head Moth ![Death's-head Hawkmoth](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425909/objects/5488.jpg) ## Appearance The Death's-head Hawkmoth has a dark brown body with yellow and black striped underwings, but its most striking feature is a pale, skull-like pattern on its fuzzy thorax. Its abdomen is thick and yellow with black bands, giving it a wasp-like appearance from above. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Sphingidae - **Genus:** Acherontia ## Interesting facts - Despite its spooky name, it is completely harmless to humans. - It can travel incredibly far, sometimes flying across entire continents! - The caterpillar can grow as big as a child's finger before it pupates! - This moth's scary skull-like mark made it famous in horror stories! ## Special abilities - **Squeaky Siren:** Death's-head Hawkmoth can make a loud squeaking sound by forcing air that helps them startle predators and even honeybees. - **Honey Heist:** Death's-head Hawkmoth has a sturdy proboscis that helps them pierce beehive combs to steal honey without being stung. - **Nocturnal Navigator:** Death's-head Hawkmoth has excellent night vision that helps them find flowers and navigate long distances after dark. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 90-130 mm - **Size:** 40-60 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 40 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult moths sip nectar from flowers and sneak sips of honey from beehives. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat leaves of plants like potato and tomato, while adults feed on nectar and honey. - **Primary Foods:** Flower nectar, Tree sap, Honey, Potato leaves, Tomato leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Western Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Steals stored honey from their hives. - **Eats:** [Potato](https://www.snappit.app/explore/potato) (*Solanum tuberosum*) — Caterpillars munch on the leaves of this plant. - **Eaten by:** [Barn Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-owl) (*Tyto alba*) — Hunts moths during nocturnal flights. - **Pollinates:** Flowering Tobacco (*Nicotiana alata*) — Visits night-blooming flowers for their sweet nectar. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Death's-head Hawkmoth? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Death's-head Hawkmoth's wingspan? 90-130 mm ### How big is Death's-head Hawkmoth? 40-60 mm ### How long does Death's-head Hawkmoth live? 14-30 days ### How fast can Death's-head Hawkmoth fly? 40 km/h ### What does Death's-head Hawkmoth eat? Adult moths sip nectar from flowers and sneak sips of honey from beehives. ### Where is Death's-head Hawkmoth usually found? Forests and gardens ### How does Death's-head Hawkmoth hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parque-de-la-naturaleza-de-cab-rceno) — Spain, ES · Zoo - [Zoo de Cerza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-de-cerza) — Normandy, FR · Zoo ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Death's-head Hawkmoth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/death-s-head-hawkmoth)