#Death moth

[nightmaregirl]

Xx

[deathmoth-blog]

The name death's-head hawkmoth refers to any of three moth species of the genus Acherontia (Acherontia atropos, Acherontia styx and Acherontia lachesis). The former species is found throughout Africa and in Europe, the latter two are Asian; most uses of the common name refer to the African species. These moths are easily distinguishable by the vaguely human skull-shaped pattern of markings on the thorax. They are large nocturnal moths with brown and yellow or orange coloring, and all three species are fairly similar in size, coloration and life cycle.

The African death's-head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) is the largest moth in the British Isles (though not in Africa), with a wingspan of 13 cm (5 in); it is a powerful flier, having sometimes been found on ships far from land. The forewings are a mottled dark brown and pale brown, and the hind wings are orangey-buff with two narrow dark bands parallel with the hind margin. The abdomen is a similar orangey-brown, with a broad, dark dorsal stripe. The most notable feature is a patch of short yellowish hairs on the thorax that gives the impression of depicting a human skull. It is a striking insect, but is seldom seen because it flies late in the night.

A 2020 study describes how, when viewed upside-down, Acherontia atropos creates an illusion of a head with eyes: the mark on its thorax likened to a human skull is the "nose", with the skull's eye-sockets resembling nostrils. Spots on its forewings can be seen as eyes, and various other markings and features can be interpreted as ears, muzzle and lips. This illusion is also present in Agrius convolvuli (convolvulus hawk-moth) and five other species, with the study author suggesting that the function of the illusion of an eyed head is "almost certainly to deter, distract or otherwise deceive predators".

The caterpillar of the African death's-head hawkmoth is also sturdy and somewhat variable in colour, being some shade of buff, green or brown, with seven diagonal blue lines. At the rear is a curved, thorn-like horn. It can attain a length of 5 to 6 in (13 to 15 cm). The other two species of death's-head hawkmoth similarly have three larval color forms: typically, green, brown and yellow. The pupa is stout and reddish-brown, and is formed 8 to 10 in (20 to 25 cm) under the ground in a chamber the size of a large hen's egg.

These moths have several unusual features. All three species have the ability to emit a loud chirp if irritated. The sound is produced by inhaling and expelling air, which vibrates the epipharynx like an accordion, often accompanied by flashing of the brightly colored abdomen in a further attempt to deter predators. The chirp of the death's head hawkmoth takes approximately one-fifth of a second. A study by National Geographic found that the epipharynx was originally built to suck up honey, but later evolved to produce sound.

Adults of all three species are commonly observed raiding beehives of different species of honey bee; A. atropos only invades colonies of the well-known western honey bee, Apis mellifera, and feeds on both nectar and honey. They can move about in hives without being disturbed because they mimic the scent of the bees and are not recognised as intruders. If their disguise is discovered, the moth's thick waxy cuticle helps to protect it against stings.

Leaves of the potato plant contain calystegines, a group of polyhydroxy alkaloids, which are toxic. The larva of A. atropos feeding on potato foliage accumulates these alkaloids.

[tiffanysabrinatattoo]

The Naturalist's Library (1852) A. A. Gould

[bugtheories]

Got these two for free, they're for 1940'/50'. Whoever made them wasn't professional by any means, both of them are missing all of their legs, but still I like them very much.

Death's-head Hawk-moth (Acherontia atropos) and Protesilaus protesilaus (from Honduras)(It's probably illegal to even own this rn).

And here is the moth on my ossuary shelf, I still don't know, where to put the butterfly.

[desnoot]

Bugtober days 13, 14, 15 and extra 16

Spirit Moth, Katydid (it's a grasshopper), Firefly and Acherontia Moth

Final bugtober post! I'll try to get these posts up to date with my other ssmm content

[meerielou]

Some info about my Metal Gear character:

-Code name: Quick Moth

-Nickname: Death Moth

Explanation of her code name: in FOXHOUND the code name is composed of the member's ability + an animal that is associated with them (Example: Sniper Wolf, Revolver Ocelot. These being experts in their respective weapons, or in the case of Decoy Octopus and Psycho Mantis is due to their peculiar abilities.)

In the case of Quick Moth, it is due to her mental and physical speed on the battlefield, making her almost imperceptible (Even Mantis has a hard time reading her mind)

Like moths, she can easily move in the dark without being detected.

The nickname is due to a belief of the relation of moths with death

They are often related to bad omens. Moths are feared and at the same time respected since it is believed that if you hurt one, you or a family member will die soon after.

In relation to Quick Moth, every time she is near she is feared; Not only because of what she is capable of, but because it means that Mantis is nearby and if she weas to be hurt then it would mean the death of the person who dared hurt her.

Her attitude tends to clash with Liquid's, because she often challenges the authority and her superiors.

Moth is an ENTP (which is why he clashes with Liquid's personality, as he is ENTJ)

[gummi-bat]

Fun Fact: Death Head Moths are the fastest moths out there! They can get up to speeds of 30mph, speedy little guys~☆

[artsy-witchling]

A little doodle I did inspired by Sleep Token’s “The Summoning”  I know that the letters are a little off. It’s 11am and I’ve been up since 7 and I’m v tired 😭 this is just a doodle. A concept if you will. It’s still a work in progress.

[iinsectology]

Deaths head hawk moth

[thfckhappened]

Saw a tiktok about the different types of tiefling you can be in DND and here are my ideas

Lunar Moth tiefling, as a Cleric

Death face moth tiefling as a Necromancer

Maned Hyena tiefling, Barbarian

Ink cap Mushroom tiefling Rouge or monk for this one I see the cap as one of those straw hats and they'd have a bo staff

I'll have to draw these at some point I'll update you if I ever flesh out these characters

[dollysobsessionwithskulls]

By Juan Serrano

[luigigirl12]

(it's idiotspage btw-)

HAII LUIGIGIRLLL :D

I have a question:

What would be Nayas reaction to the deathmoth version of silence? :3

She would be shocked and horrified knowing what happened to her cousin

[deathmoth-blog]

[crackedshell]

✨ OOTD & MOTD ✨

[nepeta]

Sometimes when you're having a mental breakdown you gotta just carve a moth

[norbezjones]

Whumptober Day 7: Only For Emergencies (Romance The Backrooms)

Look, in case you couldn’t figure it out from June Of Doom & Whumptember, I like whump.  So I’ll be participating in Whumptober when I have the time/energy to.  I may use all of the day’s prompts, or I may use some of them.  We’ll see what happens.

Like usual, I will be doing these for the characters of my story Romance The Backrooms, a liminal space otome with 5 main love interests.  This is an original work, not fanfiction.

Enjoy!

(I also included the fictober-event prompt today!)

Today’s Prompts: Only For Emergencies, unconventional weapon, “it’s us or them”, "follow me if you want to live"

Characters: Kalcal & Zenobos

Other Info: n/a

_________

“The deathmoth swarm is coming!” Zenobos exclaimed as he & Kalcal ducked behind a corner.  “W-What do we do?”

Kalcal looked around the area, and spotted a folding chair at a table.  Picking up the chair, he said, “Zenobos, stay behind this corner.  I’ll fight them off.”

“A-Are you sure?” Zenobos stammered.  “Can you really take them all on?!”

“I don’t have a choice—it’s us or them,” Kalcal replied.  “If you want to live, follow my instructions—you stay right here while I deal with them, ok?”

“Wait!” Zenobos exclaimed.  He searched his bag, and pulled out a vial.  “Here, some Liquid Silence I’ve been saving for emergencies. . .  It might be useful.”

“What does it do?” Kalcal asked.

“It has a lot of uses, but what’s relevant here is that it induces fear in people & entities,” Zenobos replied.  “Throw it on the ground in front of the deathmoths, and they should be easy to fight.”

“Thanks, little buddy,” Kalcal said, grinning.  “This’ll be perfect.”

“But be careful!” Zenobos warned him.  “It’ll induce fear in you, too. . .”

“Don’t worry, Zenobos,” Kalcal reassured him, kissing the top of his head.  “I’m not afraid of anything!”

With that, Kalcal charged behind the corner, letting out a combative cry and a, “Bring it on!”

Zenobos pressed against the wall, listening & shaking.  He hear the distant shattering of glass as Kalcal threw the bottle of Liquid Silence to the ground, and then, the deathmoths let out terrified sounds.  Kalcal also let out a cry of fear, which surprised Zenobos and made him afraid, too.  Was his friend going to be ok?

Then, he heard Kalcal let out a scream, and the sounds of ripping flesh & squealing deathmoths filled the air.  Zenobos covered his ears, unable to bear the noises.  Until, finally, there was silence.

Zenobos peeked around the corner to see Kalcal, panting and covered in deathmoth guts.  All of the deathmoths were ripped apart and scattered on the ground.  Kalcal turned around and gave Zenobos a smile.  “You ok, little buddy?” he asked, approaching him.

Zenobos nodded.  “A-Are you?” he asked hesitantly.  “You sounded kind of scared earlier. . .”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine,” Kalcal said.  “What do you say we cut up some deathmoth legs & guts to make dinner with?”

Zenobos smiled.  “Sounds good to me.”

But as they did so, Zenobos couldn’t help but wonder:

What exactly was Kalcal afraid of?