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Project Noah Nature School
Acherontia lachesis
A gold mining base-camp near a dense secondary forest.
Spotted on Aug 14, 2012
Submitted on Aug 15, 2012
8 Comments
Very cool. Here's the caterpillar http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/693...
Cool we now have a Death's-head, an Alien and a Smiley..
Very cool :)
Interesting. Thank you, Martini. Now, I know what the name (or rather the scientist) is telling. I was so thrilled to spot the moth. It is a remote area about 5 hours driving from Manado (the capital city of the province). I will share three other species of moths that were resting in the same net.
Very fitting names for the viper and the hawk-moth. And Latin names are specific. I struggle with many common names as ambiguous and parochial. Like the lacewing! Lepidoptera or Neuroptera?
Very nice, Martin. Scientists have a sharp sense of drama, along with some sense of humor. BTW, the most dangerous species of south american snakes is called "Lachesis muta" (transformed Lachesis, in a free translation).
Thats an absolutely spectcular hawkmoth John.
Did you know the Acheron (latin = Acherontia) is the river in Greek mythology that the boatman takes you across to enter the underworld (death). Lachesis (gk = disposer of fate) is the white robed lady who decides your date of departure, and your fate in the next life. Fascinating mythology but please don't be superstitious.
Awesome! I have seen the caterpillar but never the adult.