The Greater Death's Head Hawkmoth is a master of honey-scented infiltration and mimicry

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: With a wingspan reaching 13 centimeters, the Acherontia lachesis is a formidable nocturnal visitor. Known as the bee robber, this moth possesses a unique ability to mimic the scent of honey bees, allowing it to infiltrate hives and feast on honey using its exceptionally strong, stout tongue.

First described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1798, the Acherontia lachesis is one of three species within the Acherontia genus. It is widely distributed across the Oriental region, spanning from India, Pakistan, and Nepal to the Philippines, and reaching as far as southern Japan, the Russian Far East, and Indonesia. Recently, the species has also established a presence on the Hawaiian Islands. Physically, it is distinguished from its relative, Acherontia styx, by its larger size and specific abdominal markings, which feature broad black bands that leave only narrow slivers of yellow visible.

The life cycle of the moth is equally complex. Females lay eggs on a diverse range of host plants, including members of the Solanaceae, Verbenaceae, and Fabaceae families. The resulting larvae can grow up to 125 millimeters in length and exhibit various color forms, typically grey. When threatened, these caterpillars display defensive behaviors, such as thrashing their heads and producing a rapid clicking sound with their mandibles. Before pupating, the larva burrows into the earth, creating an ovoid chamber approximately 15 centimeters below the surface to shed its skin.

Beyond its larval defenses, the adult moth employs its own survival strategies. When disturbed, it lifts its body, partially opens its wings, and emits a distinct squealing note. Despite these adaptations, the moth faces threats from various parasitoids, including tachinid flies and species such as Amblyjoppa cognatoria, Quandrus pepsoides, and Drino atropivora. While often associated with the imagery of the film The Silence of the Lambs, it is important to note that the species featured in that film's promotional material was actually Acherontia atropos, not the Acherontia lachesis.

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