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DEATH'S HEAD HAWKMOTH

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DEATH'S HEAD HAWKMOTH
Photo Information
Copyright: Sumon Sinha (Mana) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1662 W: 20 N: 4674] (15172)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-H2
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-05-20 5:38
Viewed: 620
Points: 78
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Moving away from dragonflies I start this mini series of Hawk Moths. These are normally huge in size and look beautiful in shape and colour. Shot taken hand-held in good natural lighting. Hope everyone like it.

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The name Death's-head Hawkmoth refers to any one of the three species (A. atropos, A. styx and A. lachesis) of moth in the genus Acherontia. The former species is primarily found in Europe, the latter two are Asian, and most uses of the common name refer to the European species. This image is of Acherontia styx.

These moths are easily distinguishable by the vaguely skull-shaped pattern of markings on the thorax. All three species are fairly similar in size, coloration, and life cycle. These moths have several unusual features. All three species have the ability to emit a loud squeak if irritated. The sound is produced by expelling air from the pharynx, often accompanied by flashing of the brightly-colored abdomen in a further attempt to deter predators. All three species are commonly observed raiding beehives of different species of honey bee for honey; A. atropos only attacks colonies of the well-known Western honey bee, Apis mellifera. They are able to move about in hives unmolested because they mimic the scent of the bees.

Acherontia styx is a Sphingid moth found in Asia, one of the three species of Death's-head Hawkmoth, also known as the Bee Robber. It is very fond of honey and bee keepers have reported to have found dead moths in their hives as a result of bee stings. They can mimic the scent of bees so that they can enter a hive unharmed to get honey. Their tongue, which is stout and very strong, enables them to pierce the wax cells of the beehive and suck the honey out. They are also known to be a pest of yuzu (Citrus junos) in South Korea, using their tongue to pierce and damage the fruit.

This species is similar to the European A. atropos but differs in having two medial bands on the underside of the forewing, instead of one, and usually no dark bands across the ventral surface of the abdomen. The skull-like marking is darker and there is a faint blue tornal dot enclosed by a black submarginal band on the hindwing upperside. The forewing discal spot (stigma) is orange; in A. atropos it is usually white.

The variant referred to as A. styx medusa occurs throughout eastern continental Asia, from northeastern China (to where it is a migrant) and Japan, south through eastern China and Vietnam to Peninsular Malaysia and peninsular Thailand. Also found throughout the islands of the Malay Archipelago. A. s. styx occurs from north-central and western China westward across northern Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Iran to Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Folklore : The skull pattern has helped these moths, particularly A. atropos, earn a negative reputation, such as associations with the supernatural and evil. A. atropos has been prominently featured in art and movies.

The species names atropos, styx and lachesis are all death-related. The first refers to the member of the Moirae who cuts the threads of life of all beings in Greek mythology; the second to the river of the dead, also in Greek mythology; and the last refers to the Moira who allots the correct amount of life to a being. In addition the genus name Acherontia is derived from Acheron, a river in Greece that was believed in Greek Mythology to be a branch of the river Styx.

An Acherontia styx pupa found in the soft palate of a murder victim is a vital clue in the thriller novel The Silence of the Lambs; in the movie version, however, while the script still refers to styx, the species depicted is Acherontia atropos.

Scientific classification -
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Sphinginae
Genus: Acherontia
Species: A. styx
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Critiques [Translate]

Hallo Sumon
As usually a beautiful posting from you. This is really striking. The colours, patterns and detail is really displayed with such clarity and precision. Focus and sharpness is done expertly. I like the water droplets on the leaves. The greenery is the perfect background to emphasise the beauty of this insect. Technically this is an splendid capture and presentation. I cannot really say more than congratulantions and well done. I hope you can hear the clapping, as this one certainly deserves a round of applause. Kind regards and thanks for sharing.
Anna

What a complex insect...to mimic a bee...and make a threatening noise and carry something akin to "Hells Angle's" for a logo:-) This thing is a beast Sumon. And of course using natural lighting and hand held is a real pros choice...Very nicely done and qa good read as well.
Bob

Hello Sumon,

Excellent picture of this moth. Very good technically. Beautiful composition with water droplets on the leaves. The warm colours of the moth are splendid.
Cheers,
Mariki

Hello Sumon,
Excellent capture of the Death's-head Hawkmoth, a species I haven't seen so far.( But then you have been introducing a lot of new species to me. :))Very good POV, Dof, sharpness and details.Beautiful colors and patterns in the wings. Very interesting notes too.
TFS& regards,
Smitha.

Meravigliosa macro di falena, eccellenti POV e DOF, splendida composizione di tipo geometrico con la freschezza delle gocce d'acqua, straordinaria nitidezza e superbi dettagli, magnifici i colori e la luminosità. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1522 W: 242 N: 4951] (17385)
  • [2008-05-20 8:22]

Hello Sumon,
what a stunning moth!!
I've heard of these insects before but have never seen one.
Amazing colours and perfect lighting.
Very sharp and extremely detailed.
Great parallel POV and a decent frame-filling composition.
The water droplets bring this photo alive!

Very well done, Sumon!

Cheers,

Joe

p.s I've heard these grow to massive dimensions but how big was this one?

Hi Sumon Da,
A lovely capture of this beautiful death head moth. Lovely composition and sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hello Sumon,
Very good work! Beautiful image. Technically okay as well as always. Great light and composition.
TFS
Annick

Hello my dear friend Sumon,
I can not afford to miss any of your excellent posting with such outstanding work like this one!
perfect macro with what a macro need to have, just brilliant! also thank you for the useful notes
many thanks my friend!
your mate Tony

Hi Sumon,
splendid specimen of moth and very well captured,
excellent focus with wonderfull details, splendid colours and very good composition,
cheer,
friendly,
Pat

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2359 W: 134 N: 6496] (20205)
  • [2008-05-20 12:00]

Hello Sumon,
It is great to be able to take such a fine shot of the Death's Head Hawk-moth, a prime specimen taken from a classic POV that shows most of its features very well with a nice contrast against the green leaf BG.
Thanks for sharing this beauty,
Ivan

Hi Sumon, excellent macro shot of this beautiful Hawk Moth with superb details, natural colours, DOF & POV. Great shot. TFS.
Cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • Amadeo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 140 W: 0 N: 449] (1900)
  • [2008-05-20 12:19]

Hola Sumos, excelente toma, con buen color y luz, me gusta el contraste del color del motivo y el verde del fondo. Un saludo

hi Sumon,
very interesting moth
well presented with great details

best sERGIO

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1827 W: 2 N: 4700] (17728)
  • [2008-05-20 12:55]

Hi Summon. A very good close up of the Moth. the colours and detail are first class. a good top view. well done TFS.
Nick..

Hi Sumon,
This is the most beautiful rendering of an Acherontia moth I have ever seen, the sharply focused image, saturated colours, fine pattern detail and the contrasty green leaf with water droplets, all make a nice composition indeed! TFS my friend.
Mehmet

Beautifully captured and presented. Nice color and detail.
----------------------------------------

I think this moth was made famous in the United States because of it's use in one of the most famous psycho movies ever put out by Hollywood - "The Silence of the Lambs".

In that movie a psychotic killer raised Death's Head Moths with loving care, but delicately placed its larva down the throats of each of his victims. This was discovered by Jodie Foster (a famous and attractive American actress) who was trying to track down the killer. :)

  • Great 
  • darwin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 237 W: 0 N: 426] (1604)
  • [2008-05-20 22:13]

Hi Sumon
Fantastic shot with wonderful color and crystal clear detail
tfs jon

  • Great 
  • yasin Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 30 W: 1 N: 41] (125)
  • [2008-05-20 23:48]

Hi Summon,
I feel like flying above it, in the same size of it, just great shot, so close!

But you didn't explain me how you did that so close, or was it digital macro available in your camera?

TFS,

Yasin

Hi Sumon, I've never heard of this kind. Kind of eerie looking. The colour and detail is great, I like how you caught him on this wet leaf taking a drink? Very excellent notes and presentation.

Thanks, John

Hi Sumon, splendid famous moth with fantastic details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2045 W: 6 N: 1781] (12432)
  • [2008-05-21 1:03]

Hola Sumon,
excelente trabajo,
detalles y color, fina macro.
saludos
pt

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 708 W: 4 N: 1734] (8234)
  • [2008-05-21 1:29]

Hello Sumonda, I like the framing and the sharpnes of the picture. The wings open post is actually standing out. Simply superb. Ganesh

Hi Sumon

Wow, fantastic shot of this moth. Amazing sharpness and pattern details.
Great note to.

Chris

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1076 W: 0 N: 1629] (7094)
  • [2008-05-21 5:08]

hello Sumon,
Really impressive this Hawk-moth! Excellent sharpness, not only on moth, but also on every single water-droplet. Very interesting note too.
Thanks and best regards
Anne

Hello Sumon,
Very special photo. Great sharp details in wonderful natural colours.
Regards,
Peter

Hello Sumon,
What an interesting common name..And Mr. Deaths head is clearly seen as well.
Beautiful work, everything looks fine..What stands out most for me is the excellent light and color :)
Very well done,
Howard

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1644 W: 8 N: 4003] (12814)
  • [2008-05-21 17:00]

Hi Sumon,

An amazing looking moth with those wonderful earthtone colors. The patterns on the wing are beautiful. Perfect position on a perfect leaf. As always, sharp sharp details and a wonderful composition - complete with water droplets.

Jane

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 354 W: 36 N: 603] (1875)
  • [2008-05-21 22:40]

Hi Sumon,
This is fabuloaus, What a cpature with so many details, your trademark well saturated colours and sharpness.I can feel the recent rain drenched environmnet and the mood created is superb.Ver well done.
TFS & Cheers

Hello Sumon. Awesome name and you did justice with the image. Super sharp and well presented with the droplets on the green leaf. thanks for sharing and best regards. Jusni

Un buen documento. Colores muy reales. Quizá un exceso de brillos, aunque con el agua son lógicos. Bien captadas las texturas.


Abrazo Sumon: Josep Ignasi.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2235 W: 168 N: 6521] (20472)
  • [2008-05-22 8:25]

Hello Sumon,
How on earth do you find such splendid subjects to photograph!! I've seen this in GB and it is a remarkable Moth,Very well captured here showing sharp details of its pattern. Good light and well composed too.
Many thanks, ulla

Bonjour Sumon
Une excellente photo avec ce beau macro de ce papillon trés spécial.Les couleurs sont justes et parfaitements exposées ainsi que les détails.. Félicitations pour la belle composition.

Merci et bravo...JP

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2686 W: 67 N: 9202] (28772)
  • [2008-05-22 21:09]

Hello Sumon

Superb camera work again.
The focus is spot on with lovely pov and dof.
Excellent texture and detail.
Wonderful rich colours.
Great job.
TFS

Rob

amazing moth, TFS Ori

hi Sumon,
Wonderful moth, I like it pattern and colours, but to me in this individual the skull looks a bit sad, ha, ha.
You´ve portraited very well with good sharpness level
Regards
Hernán

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1489 W: 18 N: 2961] (10586)
  • [2008-05-25 11:46]

Hi Sumon

These moths are stunning, the markings are wonderful. Beautiful sharp and detailed shot with good colours. Well composed and great POV

TFS

Karan

Only in INDIA can one find these BEAUTIES, Sumon.
Namastay!!!
GREAT capture. Love the details.
Great clarity.
Warm regards,
Mario.

Hi Sumon
Firs of all I must say that I have never seen these species in nature. Your shot is as always perfect. Great field guide POV.
Nothing to critique
TFS
Krzysztof

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