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Post by nomad on Jan 11, 2019 12:21:48 GMT
The largest resident moth to be found in the British Isles is the Privet Hawk-moth Sphinx ligustri of the family Sphingidae. However, now more rarely than previously the larger Death's Head Hawk-moth Acherontia atropos visits the UK from mainland Europe. The immigrant Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli is comparable in wing span but is less heavy, thus A. atropos is the largest moth species that has been found in the UK. Due to the skull like markings, hence its English name, A. atropos is known to many people who know little about moths. The moth has been associated with evil and the supernatural in popular culture, the moth is known to squeak loudly if irritated. In the 19th century Edward Newman in The Natural History of British Moths (1869) wrote " However, let the cause of the noise be what it may, the effect is to produce the most superstitious feelings among the uneducated, by whom it is always regarded with feelings of awe and terror." The moth is in fact harmless and has a fondness for entering bee hives in search of honey. Specimens of Acherontia atropos and Sphinx ligustri top.     |
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Post by Paul K on Jan 11, 2019 15:05:08 GMT
A.atropos was my dream to catch moth in Poland when I was a boy.
I never found it and light collecting was out of question. I did that only couple of times with my father, he wasn’t really interested in this activity.
35 years passed and I still don’t have A.atropos in my collection.
I could easily buy it for less then $20 but I still hope to go back to Europe once more and maybe find it then.
There are two other species of Acherontia: styx and lachesis which occur in Thailand but I did not find those as of now.
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Post by nomad on Jan 11, 2019 15:19:02 GMT
I too never encountered this species when I collected British moths, although I had a couple of old British specimens in my collection that I purchased from Watkins and Doncaster. I did breed it once from eggs that I bought to observe its life stages, the full grown larvae are as impressive as the adult moth.
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Post by Paul K on Jan 11, 2019 16:35:47 GMT
I was and still am very excited when I find Sphingidae caterpillar.
They’re alway so massive once fully grown.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jan 11, 2019 16:59:31 GMT
There are two other species of Acherontia: styx and lachesis which occur in Thailand but I did not find those as of now. I am surprised you never found either of these two species. They can be seasonally quite common both here and in Laos. Adam. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2019 17:14:32 GMT
I have but one specimen of atropos that is of British origin from the 1950's, I don't envisage adding to that total any time soon.
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Post by Paul K on Jan 11, 2019 17:44:57 GMT
There are two other species of Acherontia: styx and lachesis which occur in Thailand but I did not find those as of now. I am surprised you never found either of these two species. They can be seasonally quite common both here and in Laos. Adam. I usually stay in Thailand during winter months in Canada when my work is slow or none which is a dry season there and not so good for moth collecting, however I hope that situation will change in the future. Paul |
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 12, 2019 1:38:06 GMT
Very nice historic British examples Nomad! I have 1 specimen from an old collection (out of Germany) which is quite nice and historic; as well as a more recent acquisition from a breeder in Poland which is ex-pupa. Love this species (atropos) best of all amongst the 3 Acherontia.
My 1st experiance of this wonderful species actually occurred when I saw a film called "The Deadly Bees". I was only about 9 or 10 years old and a specimen was shown in the film near the end in a wall mount. The film was quite good and Acherontia and it's habits were mentioned near the end of the film. Check it out sometime...
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Post by Ed on Jan 12, 2019 17:05:13 GMT
I managed to catch 2 specimens in South China, not sure of the species.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jan 12, 2019 18:22:58 GMT
I managed to catch 2 specimens in South China, not sure of the species. There are only 3 species of Acherontia. A. styx looks similar to atropos and lachesis is larger with much darker hindwings. Adam. |
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Post by Ed on Jan 12, 2019 18:44:30 GMT
I managed to catch 2 specimens in South China, not sure of the species. There are only 3 species of Acherontia. A. styx looks similar to atropos and lachesis is larger with much darker hindwings. Adam. I’m aware that there are only 3 species, the problem is that my specimens are buried in a couple dozen boxes that I haven’t touched since last year. No time to ID or spread. |
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 13, 2019 2:12:01 GMT
Nomad, are those specimens yours in the 1st photo? Are there any British maps citing what counties or locations Atropos has been recorded from as a stray? How far north or west into the country has it been found?
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Post by nomad on Jan 13, 2019 14:59:20 GMT
Those specimens shown in the box are in my brother's collection, the others are from the Bristol Museum collection. A. atropos has been recorded over much of Britain to Scotland and west in Ireland, even on the oil-rigs in the North Sea. However, it is now considered a rare migrant. As far as I am aware there are no maps where they actually migrate from to Britain but I suspect they arrive from several countries of mainland Europe, as they are very strong fliers and can easily I suspect cover vast distances.
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