Dragan Bibin
Art by @hmmonmyway on Instagram
Kathleen Lolley - With leaves of yarrow never sorrow
Death’s Head Moth
Though the Death’s-head Hawkmoth is completely harmless, it has earned quite the reputation for itself. There are actually 3 species, but the most well known and pictured here is Acherontia atropos. The vaguely skull-shaped pattern on its thorax has struck fear into the hearts of many and there are various superstitions surrounding the moth. You really only have to worry about the Death’s-head Hawkmoth if you’re a honey bee, however. At night the Death’s-head will raid the hives of Western honey bees, being attacked by guard bees at the entrance. It just so happens that it has a thick skin and resistance to bee venom so it is able to wander inside unharmed. Once deep within the hive no one bothers the moth because it actually mimics the scent of the bees -source-