Death Head Moth Natural History

The Death Head Moth, also known as the Death’s-head hawkmoth, refers to any one of three moth species in the genus Acherontia (A. atropos, A. styx, and A. Lachesis).  Atropos species is most commonly found in Europe and Africa while the other two species are mostly found in Asia. Death head moths are most recognized for the vaguely skull-shaped markings on their thorax and hindwings

The Death Head Moth, also known as the Death’s-head hawkmoth, refers to any one of three moth species in the genus Acherontia (A. atropos, A. styx, and A. Lachesis).  Atropos species is most commonly found in Europe and Africa while the other two species are mostly found in Asia. Death head moths are most recognized for the vaguely skull-shaped markings on their thorax and hindwings

Perhaps unsurprisingly because of their markings, death head moths have long been associated with the supernatural and has been seen as an evil omen in many cultures. Death head moths have been featured in various forms of gothic and horror art, literature, and film, including their most famous appearance in Silence of the Lambs.

Morphology

Death head moths are rather large and can measure anywhere between 3.5-6 in. Their forewings are a dark mottled brown with a speckled pattern of paler browns and the forewings have alternating stripes of brown and orange. The abdomen is a similar brown color with a single dark stripe. Their most distinguishing physical feature is the pattern of short yellow hairs on the thorax that resembles the shape of a human skull.

A. atropos caterpillars are about 6 inches long and have a greenish-brown color and with diagonal stripes of other colors. Near the rear is a curved shaped horn that it uses to distract predators. Caterpillars from A. styx and A. lachesis are a bright yellow and bright green, respectively.

Diet/Behavior

Death head moths exhibit some interesting behaviors. Adults of all species subsist primarily off nectar from flowers and honey that they gather from beehives. They are able to sneak in hives undetected and steal honey because they mimic the scent of bees and are not recognized as intruders. A. atropos larvae feed mostly on the leaves of the potato plant which contain toxic alkaloids. Larvae absorb these toxins and become poisonous to predators.

All three species are capable of producing a high-pitched chirp when they are threatened and they flash their thorax markings to deter predators. Death head moths also have small spines on their legs, but these are small and cannot do much damage. Death head caterpillars will resort to biting predators but they lose this ability when they turn into adults.

Adult death heads have a relatively short life span and only live about 6 weeks. Caterpillars take about 3-5 weeks to grow, after which they enter a pupa phase which lasts for about a month. When adults emerge, they spend the majority of their time feeding and looking for opportunities to mate.

Death Head Moths Interesting Facts

• All three species’ taxonomic names atropos, lachesis, and styx refer to Greek mythology and relate to death. Atropos and Lachesis were the names of two of the Moira, beings who cut the threads of life for all living beings. Styx is the name of the river that guides the dead to the underworld.
• The poster for the 1991 film Silence of the Lambs features a death head moth, which itself contains a reference to a famous painting by Salvador Dali. In the book upon which the film is based, the main killer places eggs of A. styx in the throats of his victims.
• A. atropos is the fastest species of moth in the world and can fly up to 30 mph.
• In Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the titular character sends death head moths to his thrall Renfield to eat.