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Photo: Pam Benjamin
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UK
Safari Tip:
You can discover more about Britain's Hawk-Moths with this book - click
here
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Latin name: Acherontia atropos
Size: Up to 135mm
Distribution: Found in many parts
of the UK, but more frequently in the south east of England.
Months seen: May to September
Habitat: The larvae feed on potato plants, so they are mainly found on
agricultural land where this crop is grown.
Special features: The Deaths-head Hawk-moths are the largest moths found in the U.K.
They are migrant moths,
flying to Britain from Europe in spring. They get their name from the unusual marking on the back of
the thorax which resembles a skull.
 The pale green caterpillars
have dark green patches along the back, and purple and
white diagonal stripes along the sides. They can grow to 15cm in length.
Pupae can sometimes be found when
the soil is turned over in potato fields as the crops are lifted.
The adult moths can make a loud squeaking sound.
Hand rearing a Death's-Head Hawk-Moth
UK Safari Moth Section
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