Death's Head Hawk Moth (Sphingidae Sphinginae Acherontia
lachesis - Fabricius, 1798)

Found several ova and larva of various instars from 1999  until 2002, usually from May through July, always on Papilioidae Erythrina speciosa (Coral Tree) at Braemar Hill, North Point, Hong Kong SAR.  I found one mature brown larvae (see below) on the trunk of a tree, probably headed down to burrow in the ground to pupate.  From the moth that emerged, it can be seen that this brown form is indeed A. lachesis.


The ova were 2 mm diameter.


This  larva emerged on July 10, 1999;  about 3 mm /0.12 inch long.


Four days later on July 14, 1999..
The 2nd instar larva was 25 mm / 1 inch long (not counting the tail spike).

The 3rd instar, May 18, 1999.
The larva was 5.3 cm / 2.1 inches long at this stage.

Green and yellow 4th instar larvae
length was about 5.6 cm / 2.2 inches
Note the color band changes of the eyes from 3rd instar.


Green and yellow 5th instar larvae
length was about 9 cm / 3.6 inches
The yellow form has been found at the end of May through July.


This brown version was green until this final (5th) instar.
The inset shows the top of the head and a portion of the back.
length was 10.7 cm / 4.2 inches
June 9, 2000.


The pupa was about 6.1 cm / 2.4 inches long.
The pupa on the left is from the brown larva above.
June 14, 2000.


Enlarged view of the moth in rest position.
The moth eclosed Jul 9, 2000.
Note the skull image on the thorax.


Top and Underside views of moth;
Wingspan is about 10.5 cm / 4.1 inches
This is the imago from the brown larva above.
 

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kilroy
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