Big moth in Pasir Ris mangroves [Archive] - Butterfly Discussion Forums

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budak

25-Jan-2010, 12:42 AM

Found this camouflaged moth on a tree trunk at Pasir Ris. Superficial length from head to folded wing tip about 7 cm. Any leads on ID?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4300045299_167012546f.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2609/4300044463_430be97c84.jpg

vespa_bicolor

25-Jan-2010, 02:54 AM

Looks like a rather worn individual of a death's head hawkmoth (Acherontia sp.).

butterfly_effect

25-Jan-2010, 07:37 AM

yup it does. If it isnt, it definitely belongs to the sphinx or hawkmoth family.

budak

25-Jan-2010, 10:10 AM

thanks! Found this poster by Dr Leong Tzi Ming of local hawk moths: http://www.butterfly-insect.com/alcs2008/proceedings/Dr-Leong-poster-Sphingidae-of-Singapore.pdf

It seems closest to Acherontia lachesis.

Ellen, the other moth-related proceedings might interest you too: http://butterfly-insect.com/alcs2008/alcs-proceedings.html

butterfly_effect

25-Jan-2010, 12:54 PM

wow thanks. Bursting with info!

atronox

27-Jan-2010, 08:57 PM

Either Acherontia lachesis or A. atropos

hkmoths

27-Jan-2010, 11:22 PM

This is A. lachesis

A. atropos is an African species.

The only other species in the genus, A. styx, has a much cleaner look as the postmedial & subterminal fascia are much thinner.

Both atropos and styx lack the basal blackening on the hindwing that is present in A. lachesis

Check out Ian Kitching and Tony Pittaway's Eastern Palaearctic sphingid website (http://tpittaway.tripod.com/china/china.htm) or Jan Beck's & Ian Kitching's S.E.Asian sphingid website (http://www.sphin-sea.unibas.ch/) for more info.

cheers, Roger.