Hans Christoph Kappel / Deaths head hawk moth (Acheronitia atropos) in flight. Germany, Europe

Jose B. Ruiz / Deaths Head Hawk moth, Spain

Ingo Arndt / Death's Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) caterpillar, Europe

Nigel Cattlin / Death's head hawk-moth (Acherontia atropos) late instar caterpillar. England, UK.

Nigel Cattlin / Death's head hawk-moth (Acherontia atropos) late instar caterpillar. England, UK.

Ingo Arndt / Deaths head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) on honeycomb feeding with Honey bees (Apis mellifera) on their honey in the hive, Germany.The moth releases a soothing scent which temporarily fools the bees.

Ingo Arndt / Deaths head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) on honeycomb feeding with Honey bees (Apis mellifera) on their honey in the hive, Germany. The moth releases a soothing scent which temporarily fools the bees...

Ingo Arndt / Deaths head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) on honeycomb feeding with Honey bees (Apis mellifera) on their honey in the hive, Germany. The moth releases a soothing scent which temporarily fools the bees...

Ingo Arndt / Deaths head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) is able to steal honey from the bees unnoticed due to the fact that it releases a soothing scent which temporarily fools the bees.

Hanne & Jens Eriksen / Death's head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) March, Oman

Hanne & Jens Eriksen / Death's head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) March, Oman

Hanne & Jens Eriksen / Death's head hawkmoth caterpillar (Acherontia atropos) January, Oman

Adrian Davies / Death's Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) pupa, England, UK, November.

Robert Thompson / Death's head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) resting amongst moss and lichen, Crete, Greece. November.

Robert Thompson / Death's head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) resting amongst moss and lichens, Crete, Greece. November.

Robert Thompson / Death's head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos), 3rd instar larva, Crete, Greece. September.

Robert Thompson / Death's head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos), 3rd instar larva, Crete, Greece. September.

Ann & Steve Toon / Death's head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) museum specimens showing variation in size, Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums

Ann & Steve Toon / Death's head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos), museum specimen, Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums

Ann & Steve Toon / Death's head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) museum specimen, Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums

Thomas Marent / Death's Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) caterpillar eating leaf, Switzerland

Kim Taylor / Cutout of Death's Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) Namibia, captive

Kim Taylor / Death's head hawk moth at entrance to bee hive. Namibia Digital composite, captive

Duncan Usher / Death's Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) on honeycomb, adults frequently raid beehives to feed on honey, Europe, Africa and Madagascar

Ingo Arndt / Death's Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) on tree trunk, Europe

Ingo Arndt / Death's Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) close up of caterpillar's feet

Hans Christoph Kappel / Deaths head hawk moth, Germany

Jose B. Ruiz / Deaths head hawk moth (Acheronitia atropos). Alicante, Spain, Europe

Hans Christoph Kappel / Deaths head hawk moth, Germany

Duncan Mcewan / Deaths head hawk moth (Acherontia atropos), dorsal detail

Adrian Davies / Death's head hawkmoth {Acherontia atropos} UK

Ingo Arndt / Death's Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) caterpillar, Europe

Ingo Arndt / Death's Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) adult, Europe

Ingo Arndt / Death's Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) underground chrysalis, Europe

Ingo Arndt / Death's Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) pupa buried underground, Europe

Ingo Arndt / Death's Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) caterpillar, Europe

Ralph Martin/ BIA / Death's Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) caterpillar camouflaged in leaves, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Ingo Arndt / Death's Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) close up of caterpillar's feet

Duncan Mcewan / Caterpillar larva of Death's head hawkmoth {Acherontia atropos} shedding skin, captive

Rupert Barrington / Deaths head hawk moth larva (Acherontia atropos) Germany

Hans Christoph Kappel / Deaths head hawk moth chrysalis (Acherontia atropos) Germany