Acherontia atropos, Ivoloina park, Madagascar

Opening the last mothing session of our 2019 trip. It was a very difficult session due to rain and strong wind.
This is one of 3 species known as the Death's-head Hawk moth.

This particular species occurs across most of Africa all-year, during summer it can be found in most parts of Europe.

For young people, Death's-head Hawk moths got mainstream attention in the 90s due to this movie:
https://www.quartetrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/312-SILENCE-OF-THE-LAMBS.jpg

comments (10)

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

Your link doesn't work. I'm guessing The Silence of the Lambs? The book is better! Posted 5 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Strange, works for me. And YES. Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
    
    Lion
    
    Weird! Now it works for me...What was up with that? Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Changed it for a completely different link :) Posted 5 years ago
    2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        Sneaky! :D Posted 5 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        But...Did you know that the "skull" part of the moth on the Silence of the Lambs poster is actually a portrait contrived by Salvador Dali? It's a bunch of posed, naked women. Google 'In Voluptas Mors', and then compare to the movie poster. Posted 5 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        I did not know that! Yet now you point to it, I recognize the Dali shape, yet not even did I know they contained naked women. Thanks for the tip lol. Posted 5 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        You're very welcome, lol. Posted 5 years ago

Paul Dirksen

Lion

Superb Ferdy, the only one I've ever seen was in Utrecht 1968. Posted 5 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  In Utrecht of all places!
  Carefully avoiding the year ;) Posted 5 years ago

The Death's Head Hawkmoth

"Acherontia atropos" is the most widely known of the three species of Death's-head Hawk moth. "Acherontia" species are notorious mainly for a vaguely skull-shaped pattern on the thorax.

Info 4 0

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Ferdy Christant