The Death’s-Head Hawkmoth is characterised by the white marking on the
back of his thorax that sometimes resembles a stylised human skull.
There are three different species, this is the Asian one. The
colouration is designed for camouflage. To deter predators, he can emit a
loud squeak by expelling air from his pharynx and will also flap his
wings, flashing his yellow abdomen. He also has a taste for honey, and
will raid beehives. To enter unmolested, he accurately mimics the scent
of the bee. Eggs are laid on the underside of the host plants, and the
relatively sedantary caterpillars will bite if disturbed. They burrow
into underground chambers to pupate.
No comments:
Post a Comment