<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death%27s-head_hawkmoth" class="extiw" title="en:Death's-head hawkmoth">Death's-head hawkmoth</a> refers to any one of the three moth species of the genus <i>Acherontia</i> (<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acherontia_atropos" class="extiw" title="w:Acherontia atropos">Acherontia atropos</a></i>, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acherontia_styx" class="extiw" title="w:Acherontia styx">Acherontia styx</a></i> and <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acherontia_lachesis" class="extiw" title="w:Acherontia lachesis">Acherontia lachesis</a></i>). The former species is found primarily in Europe, the latter two are Asian. These moths are easily distinguishable by the vaguely human skull-shaped pattern of markings on the thorax. All three species are fairly similar in size, coloration, and life cycle. 
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The larvae are stout, reaching 120–130 mm, with a prominent tail horn. All three species have three larval color forms: typically, green, brown, and yellow. Larvae do not move much, and will click their mandibles or even bite if threatened. When mature, they burrow underground and excavate a small chamber where they pupate. (ID:  <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1020764917960975">IndianMoths</a>)
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<a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Jkadavoor" title="User:Jkadavoor">Jeevan Jose, Kerala, India</a></div>
CC BY-SA 4.0
<span class="int-own-work" lang="en">Own work</span>