Death's Head Hawkmoth

Death's Head Hawkmoth are named after the distinctive skull shaped markings on their thorax.
Found in Europe and throughout Africa, this species of moth raids bee hives to feed on the honey and nectar within. By mimicking the scent of honey bee pheromones, they can pass through beehives safely without alerting the colony. They also have a thick cuticle that helps them withstand bee stings and a partial resistance to bee venom. 

When threatened this moth can emit a high pitch squeak by forcing air through their throat, or pharynx.

This Death's Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia Atropos) has been hand set by our expert entomologists in our studio and mounted in a museum quality bell jar.

Base: Solid wood hand finished in our studio

Mount: Acrylic

Dome: Handblown 2mm tempered glass

Dimensions: 120 x 160mm

The picture shown is an example of the quality that you can expect to receive. Please be aware that, as these are natural products, they are subject to some variation. While no two insects are exactly alike, each of the specimens in our collection fall within the morphological perimeters for their species.

Given the natural origin of our products, and that each piece is uniquely crafted to showcase each specimen at its best, the bell jar you receive may be slightly different in size than the one pictured.

All of the insects in our collection are responsibly and ethically sourced through sustainable insect farming and commercial breeding.

This approach helps native communities generate a sustainable and equitable income, while providing an economic incentive to protect endangered habitats rather than environmentally destructive practices such as deforestation for logging and agriculture.