Acherontia atropos

The Death's Head Hawkmoth is one of the largest moth species in Europe and is a very interesting species from many points of view.

Belonging to a mostly tropical offshoot of the Sphinginae (true hawkmoths) and widespread in the Afrotropical region, it ventures into the southern Palaearctic region during the Summer where it is to be found often in abundance.

The caterpillars feed mostly on Solanaceae (potatoes and nightshades) but also Oleaceae (Olea europaea, Ligustrum spp.) and Verbenaceae (Alloysia triphylla) and are striking.

In Portugal this is mostly a late summer migrant species having been found through the country but with most records from the south (Alentejo, Algarve) and the coasts.

4th ínstar larva.

close-up of 4th ínstar larva

young 5th ínstar larva

older 5th ínstar larvae can grow up to 12cm long.

Before pupation, the caterpillar builds a well enclosed earthen chamber deep into the soil. As a pupa, they can overwinter in milder places but in tropical conditions this phase only lasts for about a month.


The adult is a stunning moth with a well-known pattern on the thorax, resembling a Death's Head!

Cabo da Roca, Portugal - The westernmost tip of the European Continent. A truly beautiful place though quite a natural disaster: there are 3 portuguese endemic species of plants from the area, though most is quite overgrown with Carpobrotus edulis, a south-african low growing creeping plant.