Death’s Head Hawkmoth Adult Moth

Death's Head Hawkmoth photo Steve Ogden
Death’s Head Hawkmoth photo Steve Ogden

The Death’s Head Hawkmoth is the largest moth recorded in the British Isles.

In the British Isles and other cooler northern parts of its European range this magnificent insect is a scarce but annual migrant from southern Europe and Africa.

In the UK most sightings are from the southern coastal counties of England but these strong-flying moths have been recorded from as far north as Scotland’s Northern Isles.

Most migrant records occur in late Summer and Autumn when it is attracted to light.

Death's Head Hawkmoth reared from caterpillar found in a Cornish garden photo Steve Ogden
Death’s Head Hawkmoth reared from a caterpillar found in a Cornish garden photo Steve Ogden

Worldwide its resident range is extensive, extending as far south as South Africa, northwards into southern Europe and eastwards into the Middle East and Asia.

As a migrant it has been recorded as far north as southern Scandinavia and even Iceland.

The Death’s Head Hawkmoth featured was reared from a caterpillar found by Glenys Phillips and her granddaughter, Emily, in their Cornish garden as highlighted in latest sightings.

Other sightings featured are from the British Isles, other European countries, Madeira, the Middle East and South Africa.

Head of Death's Head Hawkmoth photo Steve Ogden
Head of Death’s Head Hawkmoth photo Steve Ogden

The Death’s Head Hawkmoth feeds on sugary substances and is known for entering bee hives to feed on honey. When stressed it emits a surprisingly loud series of rapid squeaks. These presumably are a defence mechanism designed to startle and deter predators.

There has been some debate whether these noises in some way pacify bees preventing attack when the moth is inside a hive.

Moritz et al. (1991) says – ‘ that this species makes itself ‘chemically invisible’ to honeybees by mimicking the cutaneous fatty acids of its hosts.’.

Recommended reference book – Pittway’s Hawkmoths of the Western Palearctic.

Identification of the Death’s Head Hawkmoth

Human skull-like pattern on thorax of Head of Death's Head Hawkmoth photo Steve Ogden
Human skull-like pattern on thorax of Death’s Head Hawkmoth photo Steve Ogden

The Death’s Head Hawkmoth is unmistakable. With a bulky body and wingspan of up to 140mm it’s an impressive insect.

The startling skull like pattern on the thorax, behind the head, gave rise in folklore to it being known as an omen of death.

When disturbed or prior to flight, the open forewings reveal a black banded yellow abdomen and underwings.

There are two other Asian species in the genus Acherontia – Acherontia styx and Acherontia lachesis, but neither species has been recorded in the British Isles.

A. styx is very similar to A. atropos but most easily distiguished by the darker brown and consequently less obvious skull-like pattern on the thorax.

Other hawkmoths are featured in the species pages and Hawkmoth Moth Gallery.

Lifecycle

Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar in Cornwall photo Claire Ogden.
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar in Cornwall photo Claire Ogden.

Where resident in the warmest regions of its range such as parts of Africa the Death’s Head Hawkmoth may be continuously brooded.

Further north, in cooler regions, a single brood occurs in the summer and autumn as a result of migration, yet few of the resulting pupae survive overwintering.

Eggs are laid singly on the underside of the leaves of the foodplant, several on a single well foliated plant. In warm temperatures of 20-30C or more the caterpillars grow rapidly and may be fully grown in less than 4 weeks.

Death’s Head Hawkmoth Caterpillar

Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on the leaves of a Spindle Tree in a Cornish garden photo Steve Ogden.
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on the leaves of a Spindle Tree in a Cornish garden photo Steve Ogden.

The caterpillars grow to 125 mm in length, making it the largest caterpillar likely to be found in the UK.

In the final instar they are extremely variable in colour with brown, green and yellow forms. These forms are featured in sightings below.

In all instars the caterpillars are quite sedentary and remain feeding in one area of a plant until the immediate leaves have been depleted when they’ll move a short distance onto the nearest untouched growth.

Yellow tail horn of fully grown Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar photo Steve Ogden
Yellow tail horn of fully grown Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar photo Steve Ogden

The down curled, yellow or brown tail horn of a fully grown caterpillar has a rough, granulated surface.

Defoliation and the presence of large quantities of frass on the ground beneath often raises awareness of a feeding caterpillar.

When resting it may hang down, taking on the characteristic ‘sphinx pose’ adopted by many members of the Sphingidae Hawkmoth family such as the Privet Hawkmoth, Sphinx ligustri.

If disturbed the caterpillar will click its mandibles and even bite an attacker.

Other hawkmoth caterpillars are featured in the species pages and caterpillar galleries

Head of Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar photo Steve Ogden
Head of Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar photo Steve Ogden

Foodplants of the Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar

Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on Spindle Tree leaves in a Cornish garden photo Claire Ogden.
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on Spindle Tree leaves in a Cornish garden photo Claire Ogden.

Plants of the Solanaceae family, especially potato, have long been considered to be the primary foodplant of Deaths’s Head Hawkmoth larvae. Indeed, before the increased use of insecticides in intensive farming of potatoes in the UK, records suggest the larvae were found with some regularity amongst potato crops.

In recent times the small numbers still recorded feeding on potatoes are often reported from organic allotments and garden plots.

Brown form of Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on jasmine in a Hertfordshire garden photo Joanna Turton.
Brown form of Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on jasmine in a Hertfordshire garden photo Joanna Turton.

However, increasing number of sightings seem to be occurring from gardens, feeding on a variety of other plants.

With rising temperatures this may not be surprising as in other parts of its warmer, southerly range feeding is recorded on a more varied diet.

Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on jasmine in Hertfordshire garden photo Joanna Turton.
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on jasmine in Hertfordshire garden photo Joanna Turton.

Pittaway in “The Hawksmoths of the Western Palearctic” says the larval foodplants are “principally Solanaceae, especially potato, also Verbenaceae, Oleacea (Ligustrum, Olea and Fraxinus), Beta, Nerium, Buddleja and many other plants.”

Due to the caterpillars habit of wandering away from the food plant to pupate, the foodplant is not known for all the sightings featured below.

Pupating Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar

Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar in search of pupating site Wendy Zealey
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar in search of pupating site Wendy Zealey

During the hours before pupation the caterpillars darken and cover their whole body in saliva.

The caterpillar then leaves the foodplant and searches for a place to pupate in the soil. It is at this time, when wandering over the ground, it’s most frequently sighted.

An uncovered earth chamber, collapsed at one end, housing a Death's Head Hawkmoth pupa, photo Steve Ogden
An uncovered earth chamber, collapsed at one end, housing a Death’s Head Hawkmoth pupa, photo Steve Ogden

Once a suitable pupation site has been found the caterpillar digs down into the soil and forms a large, earthen shelter at a variable depth, commonly between 5 and 10 cms.

Unearthed pupating Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar successfully overwintered inside by Tony Rockett.
Unearthed pupating Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar successfully overwintered inside by Tony Rockett.

In normal summer temperatures caterpillars pupate in 4 to 6 weeks. In the British Isles most caterpillars that pupate in late autumn fail to overwinter due to the low temperatures. Those that do will emerge in the following late spring.

Recommended reference books
  • “The Colour identification guide to caterpillars of the British Isles” by Jim Porter.
  • “The Field guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland” by Waring, Townsend and Lewington.
  • “The Colour identification guide to Moths of the British Isles” by Bernard Skinner.
  • Pittaway in The Hawksmoths of the Western Palearctic.

Rearing the Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar

The empty pupa protruding from earth cocoon left by an emerged Death's Head Hawkmoth , photo Claire Ogden
The empty pupa protruding from earth cocoon left by an emerged Death’s Head Hawkmoth , photo Claire Ogden

This species is one of the most popular moth species to be reared by breeders. Larvae are reared successfully on privet, jasmine and ash.

If kept between 22-25C development is rapid.

To overwinter successfully in the British Isles temperature is critical.

To encourage diapause, yet not induce premature emergence, the pupa should be kept buried in soil at a temperature of between 5-8 C in a well-ventilated cardboard box or deep tray in a rearing net. The depth of the pupa in the soil can influence its responsiveness to temperature changes.

If kept in a cool, dry room or outhouse the soil should be occasionally lightly moistened to prevent drying out but not excessively so. In late spring the pupa can be moved to a warmer site.

Death’s Head Hawkmoth sightings from around the world

The following images of sightings have been received from people all around the world. They show the variety of colour forms of the caterpillar and sometimes include the foodplant. Many thanks go to all those who have contributed.

Death’s Head Hawkmoth sightings from the British Isles

Death's-head Hawkmoth caterpillar brown form feeding on Jasmine in Hertfordshire, UK. Photo Joanna Turton
Brown form of Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on jasmine in Hertfordshire urban garden photo Joanne Turton
Death's-head Hawkmoth caterpillar yellow form feeding on Jasmine in Hertfordshire, UK © 2015 Joanna Turton
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on jasmine in Hertfordshire urban garden photo Joanne Turton
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar sighting from Norfolk by Toni Dundras
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar sighting from Norfolk by Toni Dundras
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar on the Isle of Wight photo Sharon Pragnell
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar on the Isle of Wight photo Sharon Pragnell
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on olive leaves on the Isle of Wight photo Violet Mareck
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on olive leaves on the Isle of Wight photo Violet Mareck
Death's-head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Julia Sibley in her Buckinghamshire garden.
Death’s-head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Julia Sibley in her Buckinghamshire garden.
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Frank Johns on The Lizard, Cornwall, UK
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Frank Johns on The Lizard, Cornwall, UK
Death's Head Hawkmoth recorded in Southminster Essex by Daniel Copeland
Death’s Head Hawkmoth recorded in Southminster Essex by Daniel Copeland
A caterpillar found in a Southampton garden by Tony Rockett
A caterpillar found in a Southampton garden by Tony Rockett at the end of October was successfully reared inside, having successfully pupated in November before emerging the following June.
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded feeding in a lilac tree in Basingstoke by Alison Gower.
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded feeding in a lilac tree in Basingstoke by Alison Gower.
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded in Yeovil Somerset by Susan Knowles.
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded in Yeovil Somerset by Susan Knowles.
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Katie Mullally in Hillingdon outside London on back of garden bench.
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Katie Mullally in Hillingdon outside London on back of garden bench.
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded feeding on jasmine in his Southampton garden by Roger Parry
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded feeding on jasmine in his Southampton garden by Roger Parry
Death's Head Hawkmoth recorded in Morayshire, Scotland by Anita Smith.
Death’s Head Hawkmoth recorded in Morayshire, Scotland by Anita Smith.
Deaths Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Jill Turner in Wiltshire.
Deaths Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Jill Turner in Wiltshire.

Spanish Death’s Head Hawkmoth sightings

Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by William Harding in Spain
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by William Harding in Spain
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Laura McGregor in Spain
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Laura McGregor in Spain
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded in Spain by Dave Salmon
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded in Spain by Dave Salmon.
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Hilary Stokes in Spain
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Hilary Stokes in Spain
Brown form of Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Brian Whitmore in Spain
Brown form of Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Brian Whitmore in Spain
Brown form of Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Brian Whitmore in Spain
Brown form of Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Brian Whitmore in Spain

French Death’s Head Hawkmoth sightings

Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Brian Donnelly by north west France
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Brian Donnelly by north west France
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar in Provence, France photo A. Neeteson
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar in Provence, France photo A. Neeteson
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar burying into leaf litter to pupate in south west France photo Peter Relf
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar burying into leaf litter to pupate in south west France photo Peter Relf
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding in olive grove in south west France photo Peter Relf
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding in olive grove in south west France photo Peter Relf

Italian Death’s Head Hawkmoth sightings

Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Martin Kelly in Lunigiana, Italy
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Martin Kelly in Lunigiana, Italy
Different forms of Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Martin Kelly in Lunigiana, Italy
Different forms of Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Martin Kelly in Lunigiana, Italy
Brown form of Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Catherine Amato in northern Italy
Brown form of Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Catherine Amato in northern Italy

Death’s Head Hawkmoth sightings from Portugal, Cyprus, Bahrain, Slovenia and Madeira

Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded in the Algarve, Portugal by Jane Page
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded in the Algarve, Portugal by Jane Page
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Ken Green in Madeira
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Ken Green in Madeira
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar on Capsicum plant in Cyprus photo John Cook.
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar on Capsicum plant in Cyprus photo John Cook.
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded David Sajn amongst potatoes in Slovenia.
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded David Sajn amongst potatoes in Slovenia.
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded in Bahrain by Nadia Yar.
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded in Bahrain by Nadia Yar.

South African sightings of Death’s Head Hawkmoths

Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding in small garden in Gauteng Province South Africa photo Tanya Botha
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding in small garden in Gauteng Province South Africa photo Tanya Botha
Brown form of Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Colin Brown in South Africa.
Brown form of Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Colin Brown in South Africa.
South African Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on Jasmine photo Niekie Nell
South African Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on Jasmine photo Niekie Nell
Prepupating Death's-head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Andre Isaacs in Durban, South Africa
Prepupating Death’s-head Hawkmoth caterpillar recorded by Andre Isaacs in Durban, South Africa
Freshly emerged Death's Head Hawkmoth recorded by Andre Isaacs in Durban, South Africa.
Freshly emerged Death’s Head Hawkmoth recorded by Andre Isaacs in Durban, South Africa.
Head of Death's Head Hawkmoth recorded by Andre Isaacs in Durban, South Africa
Head of Death’s Head Hawkmoth recorded by Andre Isaacs in Durban, South Africa.
Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar in Johannesburg, South Africa photo Juillard Sandrine
Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar in Johannesburg, South Africa photo Juillard Sandrine
South African Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar thought to have been parasitised photo Shannon Jones
South African Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar thought to have been parasitised photo Shannon Jones