🐾

Death's-head Hawk Moth

Acherontia atropos

Not Evaluated

Habitat & Distribution

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Widely distributed across Africa (10 countries), Asia (Yemen), and Europe (5 countries).

🇩🇿 Algeria 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇨🇻 Cabo Verde 🇰🇲 Comoros 🇨🇩 Congo (DRC) 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea 🇲🇺 Mauritius 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇸🇹 Sao Tome and Principe 🇸🇨 Seychelles 🇿🇦 South Africa 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇹🇿 Tanzania 🇾🇪 Yemen

Full Taxonomy

Animalia (Animals)

Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Insecta (Insects)

Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)

Species

Acherontia atropos (Death's-head Hawk Moth)

Names in Other Languages

French sphinx à tête de mort

German Totenkopfschwärmer

Explore More

Butterflies & Moths

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of Death's-head Hawk Moth?

The scientific name of Death's-head Hawk Moth is Acherontia atropos. It belongs to the genus Acherontia.

Where does Death's-head Hawk Moth live?

Death's-head Hawk Moth is found in Widely distributed across Africa (10 countries), Asia (Yemen), and Europe (5 countries).. Countries include Algeria, Belgium, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Congo (DRC), Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius, Norway, Portugal.

What family does Death's-head Hawk Moth belong to?

Death's-head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) belongs to the genus Acherontia, which is part of the taxonomic family Sphingidae.

What kingdom does Death's-head Hawk Moth belong to?

Death's-head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) belongs to the kingdom Animalia (Animals).

Native Range — 16 Countries

View all 16 countries →

Genus Acherontia — 1 Species

🐾

Death's-head Hawk Moth

Acherontia atropos

NE

Data verified March 2026

Nature FYI Family

Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.

11,000+ Bird Species

Fish & Marine Life

6,000+ Dinosaurs

379,000+ Plants

Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia