The Death's-Head Hawkmoth

 "Where the ancient oak leaf clusters grew,

the Death's-head Hawkmoth flew."

The name 'Death'Head Hawkmoth' refers to any one of the three species of moth in the genus Acherontia. A. atropos (featured in the above picture) is found primarily in Europe, whilst A. styx and A. lachesis are Asian. All three species are similar in size, coloration and life cycle, and easily distinguishable due to the skull shaped pattern on the thorax.

These moths have several unusual features. They can all emit a loud squeak if irritated, produced by expelling air from the pharynx, and have been observed raiding beehives for honey. By mimicking the scent of the bee, they are able to move freely throughout the hive.

The moths are commonly associated with death. The name 'atropos' refers to Greek mythology, and the 'moirae' who cuts the threads of life to all beings. 'Styx' refers to the river of the dead, also from Greek mythology, whilst 'lachesis' refers to the Moira who allots the correct amount of life to a being. The genus name Acherontia is derived from Acheron, a river in Greece that was believed to be a branch of the Styx.