Death's Head Hawk Moth

Acherontia atropos

The Death's Head Hawk Moth is a large, dramatic Old World sphinx moth famous for the skull-like pattern on its thorax and its ability to squeak loudly when handled. It occasionally strays to eastern North America as a vagrant. It has the extraordinary ability to enter honey bee hives and steal honey without being attacked, possibly through chemical camouflage.

Habitat

Vagrant to North America; normally open habitats in the Old World

Diet

Larvae: potato and other solanaceous plants. Adults: honey and nectar

How common

Very rare

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