Death's-head Hawk-moth

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Acherontia atropos

Another migrant to Britain from Southern Europe.

The Larvae feeds on potatoes.

The forewings are a mottled dark brown and pale brown, and the hind wings are orangey-buff with two narrow dark bands parallel with the hind margin.

The abdomen is a similar orangey-brown, with a broad, dark dorsal stripe.

The most notable feature is a patch of short yellowish hairs on the thorax that gives the impression of depicting a human skull. 

 It is seldom seen because it flies late in the night.

Several individuals are usually seen each year during late Summer & Autumn.