This Moth Is Known for Its Skull Marking and Dark Myths

by Bridgett McPark, age 12

Death’s-head hawkmoths are large, dark, and fluffy moths that are seen as an omen of death.

The moths live mostly in Southern Europe and are even spotted as far north as the Shetlands of England and in Ireland. This moth is one of the largest moths that migrates to the United Kingdom. They usually arrive in the UK during late summer and return to Southern Europe in October. Caterpillars are usually found in gardens and potato fields. They eat potatoes, tomatoes, flowers, and other plants such as the deadly nightshade.

The moth’s scientific name is Acherontia atropos, which is connected to the belief that the moth summons immense misfortune and even death to the house where it flies into. The scientific name is linked to Greek mythology. Acherontia relates to Acheron, a river in hell, while Atropos is one of the three Fates, who controls the destinies of all beings. The moths were also thought to contribute to King George III becoming unstable, since large moths were found in his bedroom, and rumors circulated that they were put there to drive him mad.

The adult moths have dark and velvety forewings with darker lines, several pale or red markings, and black eyes. They have a very pale skull-shaped marking on the thorax and a wingspan of nearly five inches. The caterpillar grows to almost four inches. Fully grown caterpillars are yellow or brown with differently shaped stripes.

After three to five weeks, when the caterpillars are entirely grown, they dig burrows underground. Then, between August and October, they hang from the ceiling in the cocoon. Their pupal stage lasts for about three weeks. They must look out for their main predators, such as birds, toads, frogs, lizards, and spiders. When they feel threatened, they act on instinct and squeak.

These moths are very rare and people almost never see them. Stories about the moth have led people to believe that they are poisonous, but in reality, they are harmless creatures.

The Death's-head hawkmoth is not very well known, and because of its frightening appearance, it is rumored to be cursed. The moth’s ominous reputation makes it a fascinating and somewhat unsettling creature.

[Sources: The Wildlife Trusts; Butterfly Conservation; Animal Spot]