Death's head hawkmoth

The death’s head hawkmoth gets its name from the markings on its thorax that look to human eyes like a skull. This is purely accidental, and does not appear to afford the moth any protection (unlike the “eyes” on the peacock butterfly), but that has not stopped the moth from acquiring superstitious significance as a harbinger of death.

For protection, the death’s head hawkmoth uses sound rather than appearance. It does so by forcing air out of its proboscis to produce a loud squeak. The caterpillars make a clicking sound if disturbed.

The death’s head hawkmoth belongs to the sphinx group of moth species that is found in Africa, Asia and Europe.

It feeds on honey which it takes from bee nests, although the caterpillars feed on potato and tomato plants.

Female moths lay single eggs on different plants. The caterpillars, which can grow as large as 12.5 centimetres long, have a prominent “tail” and are known as hornworms for this reason. They pupate underground.

© John Welford