Death's-head hawkmoth caterpillar (Acherontia lachesis) | Project Noah

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Photo by Scott Frazier

Published on Project Noah

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Field Notes

Description:

The usual colour variety of the caterpillar is yellow (See http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/6935293 ) but green and grey forms occur. The grey color form is much rarer (but there is an even rarer dark form).

Habitat:

Observed on goldfussia (Strobilanthes sp.) in a large semi-urban yard/garden next to a disturbed patch of remnant forest, in the equatorial tropics of northern New Guinea.

Notes:

See also https://www.flickr.com/photos/charaxes14/galleries/72157626244080364/ and http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nis/bulletin2011/2011nis101-114.pdf

Reference Links:

Death's-head Hawkmoth (Acherontia lachesis) - Information on Death's-head Hawkm…, Acherontia lachesis, Papua Insects Foundation (Lepidoptera/Sphingidae/Acherontia lachesis)

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)

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Jason Alexander

Hi Frazier! I also spotted one in Bandung, http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/248906027 .. But I'm not really sure about the specific name..

Sad indeed. Good luck with that, Dave.

Wow, ID was sitting right under my nose for all this time!

You are welcome Scott. Keep the spottings coming.

Thanks Luis!

Great shot Scott!

Wow, the detail on the body is just amazing!

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