The dead head hawk moth is a butterfly that is undeservedly disliked
There are different types of butterflies - they differ in size, color, lifestyle and habitat. Notable is an unusual butterfly with a skull.
Content
Butterfly with a skull: photo
Description of the butterfly Dead head
Name: Dead Head
Latin: acherontia atroposClass: Insects - Insecta
Squad: Lepidoptera - Lepidoptera
Family: Hawk Moths - Sphingidae
 | Seats a habitat: | valleys, fields and plantations |
 | Spreading: | migratory species |
 | Features: | listed in the Red Book in some countries |
Butterfly
Butterfly of large size, body up to 6 cm long, spindle-shaped, covered with hairs. An insect from the Brazhnikov family got its name due to its appearance. On her back she has a bright pattern in the form of a human skull. And she piercingly squeaks when danger appears.
| Head | Head black, eyes large, short antennae and proboscis. |
| Drawing | On the part, after the head, there is a bright yellow pattern resembling a human skull. Some butterflies may not have this pattern. |
| Back | On the back and abdomen are alternately brown, silvery and yellow stripes. |
| Wings | The length of the front wings is twice the width, they are dark with waves, the hind wings are short, bright yellow with dark stripes, in the form of waves. |
| Feet | The tarsi are short with spines and spurs on the shins. |
Caterpillar
Hawk hawk caterpillar.
The caterpillar grows up to 15 cm, bright green or lemon in color, with blue stripes in each segment and black dots. On the back there is a yellow horn, twisted in the shape of the letter S. There are green caterpillars with green stripes or gray-brown with white patterns.
The pupa is shiny, immediately after pupation it is yellow or cream, after 12 hours it becomes red-brown. Its length is 50-75 mm.
Features of a butterfly with a skull
Butterfly Dead head or Adam's head is considered the second largest in Europe and the first in terms of body size. The wingspan of an individual is 13 cm, it flies at speeds up to 50 km per hour, while often flapping its wings. Butterfly makes whistling sounds when touched.
Around the Dead Head, people have created a number of myths, attributing mystical abilities to it.
It was believed that this butterfly is a symbol and harbinger of death or disease.
In The Silence of the Lambs, the maniac put this butterfly in the mouth of his victims. There are hordes of them in the "Casket of Damnation".
The insect is mentioned in the gothic novel "I am king in the castle" and in the story by Edgar Allan Poe "The Sphinx". A fictional prototype of gigantic proportions was a character in the short story "Totenkopf" of the same name.
The butterfly has become a decoration for albums of rock bands and a brooch of the hero in the game.
Reproduction
The butterfly lays about 150 eggs at a time and places them on the bottom of the leaf. Caterpillars emerge from the eggs. After 8 weeks, having passed 5 instars, the caterpillars pupate. In the soil at a depth of 15-40 cm, the pupae survive the winter, and in the spring butterflies emerge from them.
In the tropics and subtropics, butterflies breed throughout the year, and 2-3 generations of individuals may appear.
Food
Dead Head caterpillars are omnivorous, but they have their own preferences.
It is a nightshade greens plants:
- potatoes;
- tomatoes;
- eggplant;
- dope.
Don't give up other plants:
- cabbage;
- carrots;
- even tree bark, in case of famine.
Butterflies fly out in the evening and are active until midnight. Due to the shortened proboscis, they cannot feed on the nectar of flowers; their diet consists of damaged fruits or tree sap.
They are very fond of honey and make their way into the hive to feast on it. Butterflies are not dangerous single bee stings.
Dead head - one of the many representatives an unusual family of hawks, whose butterflies look like fluttering birds.
Habitat
Butterflies live in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, the Middle East, the Mediterranean basin. They migrate in large numbers to the territory of Europe. Sometimes they reach the Arctic Circle and Central Asia.
They settle in sunny, open landscapes covered with shrubs or grass. Often they settle in deciduous forests, in the foothills, at an altitude of up to 700 meters.
Conclusion
Butterfly Dead Head is an amazing insect that appears in the evening. Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the proboscis, it can only feed on juice from damaged fruits and cracks in the bark of trees. But her favorite dish is honey and she always finds a way to enjoy it.
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