The Lesser Death’s Head Hawkmoth or Bee Robber (Acherontia styx) (F)

Description

Acherontia styx, the lesser death’s head hawkmoth or bee robber, is a sphingid moth found in Asia, one of the three species of death’s-head hawkmoth. It is very fond of honey, and bee keepers have reported finding 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.

The species A. styx was featured in the 1991 film, The Silence of the Lambs. In the film, the moths were captive-raised by serial killer Jame Gumb (portrayed by Ted Levine). In one scene, police performing a postmortem examination of a suspected female victim of Gumb was found to have a pupa of A. styx placed in her windpipe, with a pair of entomologists determining the species identity upon dissection and examination of the collected specimen.

Acherontia styx comes ready for display – it is expertly preserved so you can keep it looking as beautiful as when you first received it for years to come. Please handle with care as papered specimens are extremely fragile. Note, this species is unspread and will require rehydration to reposition.

This gorgeous specimen is an excellent piece for any collector/photographer.

Latin Name: Acherontia styx

Quality: A1

Sex: Female

Approx. size: up to 13 cm wingspan

Distribution: Thailand

More species available in store!

Please note:
Photograph size does not indicate the insects’ actual size, and colour may vary slightly due to photographic equipment lighting.

Due to the nature of this item, the specimen which you will receive may differ slightly.

Where do we source our specimens?
Our specimens are responsibly sourced from sustainable farming projects and never taken from the wild. Your purchase supports the conservation of wildlife habitats for farmed insects in developing countries. We are committed to ethical sourcing and do not offer any species that are endangered or listed on the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) list.
These species are not protected under any law and are not part of CITES, it is perfectly legal to own this taxidermy specimen.
Sourced in accordance within the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

At TaxidermyArtistry, we specialize in custom mounting projects and are proud to offer our services to those seeking unique and personalized displays. We use the highest quality materials and techniques to create one-of-a-kind pieces that preserve the beauty and intricacies of the natural world.

We have a wealth of experience collaborating with a diverse range of clients, including studios, photographers, and professionals, to bring their projects to life, whether you’re looking to commission a piece for personal or professional use, we would be honoured to bring your vision to life. If you are interested in a commission project, please message us.