Photo © Mike Wall
Death's-head Hawk-moth
Acherontia atropos
Checklist Number69.005 [B&F: 1973]
Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)
Classification
| Family: | Sphingidae |
| Subfamily: | Sphinginae |
| Genus: | Acherontia |
| Species: | atropos |
| Authority: | (Linnaeus, 1758) |
Rare immigrant from southern Europe, appearing in southern and eastern England, in some years arriving in sufficient numbers to breed in very small numbers. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight much less common than Convolvulus Hawk-moth, although the larvae are reported more often. Wingspan 102-135 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on Deadly Nightshade, Woody Nightshade and Potato, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas, unable to over-winter in significant numbers.
The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:
No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Larval | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
