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Death's-head Hawk Moth

Acherontia atropos

Photo by Dan Doucette
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

A large hawk moth with a wingspan of 90–130 mm (about 3.5 to 5 inches). It has the ability to emit a loud squeak if irritated. The sound is produced by expelling air from its proboscis.

Habitat:

lake shore, scrub

Notes:

I spotted this near the shore of Lake Malawi.

Reference Links:

Acherontia atropos

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
Dan Doucette
Thanks for the input PhotoginTN but they aren't found in Africa.
PhotoginTN
It looks like a tobacco hornworm, but I'm not sure if those are found in Malawi.

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Wildlife of southern Malawi

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Photographed
PublishedAugust 22, 2015

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