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25 Feb 12 at 9 pm

biomedicalephemera:

Death’s-Head Hawkmoth - Acherontia atropos

There are three species of Death’s-Head Hawkmoth, all of which raid the hives of honeybees for their honey. They mimic the scent of their target bee, and this prompts the members of the hive to not attack the intruder. A. atropos targets the Western Honey-Bee, and is the only species of Death’s-Head Hawkmoth in Europe.

Aside from their ominous markings, these moths can “scream” when threatened. The “scream” is really a loud squeak, emitted by pushing air through the pharynx. Accompanied by flashing their contrasting colors, the unique screech is enough to scare off most predators.

The Naturalist’s Library Vol. VI: Entomology - Bees and Related Species. James Duncan, compiled by Sir William Jardine, 1840.

biomedicalephemera:

Death’s-Head Hawkmoth - Acherontia atroposThere are three species of Death’s-Head Hawkmoth, all of which raid the hives of honeybees for their honey. They mimic the scent of their target bee, and this prompts the members of the hive to not attack the intruder. A. atropos targets the Western Honey-Bee, and is the only species of Death’s-Head Hawkmoth in Europe. Aside from their ominous markings, these moths can “scream” when threatened. The “scream” is really a loud squeak, emitted by pushing air through the pharynx. Accompanied by flashing their contrasting colors, the unique screech is enough to scare off most predators.The Naturalist’s Library Vol. VI: Entomology - Bees and Related Species. James Duncan, compiled by Sir William Jardine, 1840.
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  7. esabelleryngin reblogged this from johnsdong-deactivated and added:
    whoa whoa whoa bugs on my dash this is excellent and such a pretty moth!!
  8. johnsdong-deactivated reblogged this from caledscratch
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  10. aquelarresto reblogged this from caledscratch and added:
    oh my god, it’s fucking beelzebub
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  13. the-knight-of-what-the-fuckery reblogged this from caledscratch and added:
    I have a fantroll who has one of these for a lusus…
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  16. caledscratch reblogged this from biomedicalephemera and added:
    oh nooo i want one! ;v;
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  18. binary-codes reblogged this from biomedicalephemera and added:
    LOVE Death-Headzz
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