Dome # 28 Death Head Moth ( LOCAL PICKUP ONLY )
Dome # 28 Death Head Moth ( LOCAL PICKUP ONLY )
DUE TO THE FRAGILE NATURE THIS ITEM, WE ARE UNABLE TO SHIP THIS ITEM AND LOCAL PICKUP IS ONLY AVAILABLE AT OUR MUDGEERABA QLD WAREHOUSE.
WE WILL CONTACT YOU REGARDING PICK UP DETAILS ONCE YOU HAVE PLACED YOUR ORDER.
PAYMENT CAN ALSO BE MADE UPON PICKUP.
NO REFUNDS WILL BE PROVIDED SHOULD YOU NOT BE ABLE TO COLLECT.
Should you place an order and be unable to collect, we will issue you a credit note which can be applied to other items.
SPECIES Acherontia atropos
ORIGIN Europe
DOME 25cm H x 15cm. Wooden base with glass dome.
DESCRIPTION Acherontia atropos AKA Deaths Head Hawk moth. Found throughout tropical Africa and Europe this large hawkmoth (ranging from 85-125mm) Acherontia atropos has a fearsome reputation as it was traditionally seen an omen of death.
It is identified by its yellow striped abdomen and skull like marking on its thorax. (Skull like markings vary from moth to moth)Known as the prophecy of doom in Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native and tormentor of the unstable King George lll this moth developed a sinister reputation.
More recently this moth was made famous by the chilling psychological thriller The Silence of the Lambs in which the serial killer leaves a pupa of this moth as a “calling card“ in the throats of his victims.
This moth is a robber. Unlike most moths this large species is able to trick bee colonies into allowing it to enter hives in order to take honey directly from them without being stung. It has a hard outer cuticle and is said to mimic the queen bee in size and appearance and odor thus allowing it to move about inside the honeycombs. It is able to emit a loud shriek when disturbed but is generally harmless.
ALL OUR DOMES ARE ONE OFF ITEMS HANDCRAFTED BY LOCAL ARTISANS
Care
All frames are professionally prepared and fumigated for a minimum of six months prior to sale. While every precaution is taken, museum mites may occasionally occur.
Prevention is better than the cure! To help protect your collection, we strongly recommend placing your display in the freezer for one week each year. Regular inspection and monitoring are also recommended to help preserve your specimen for many years to come.
To minimise fading, avoid direct or reflected sunlight. Please also protect your display from extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
Glass may shatter if dropped. Hang only using the hook provided.
For more information and complete care instructions, please visit the FAQ section of our website.
Shipping & Delivery
We offer free nationwide standard shipping on all orders over $150. All orders under $150 incur a $12 shipping fee per order.
Express shipping options available at the checkout.
For all international orders, shipping is calculated at the checkout.
Each order is dispatched within 1-3 business days from our Mudgeeraba, QLD warehouse.
Tracking will be automatically provided via email once your order has been dispatched.
To read more about our shipping timeframes, please click here.
If you would like to view our returns policy, please click here.
Disclaimer
All specimens sold by Bits & Bugs are real insects and natural products. Due to the unique nature of each specimen, variations in colour, size, markings, and appearance may occur. Product images are provided as a guide only and may not represent the exact item received. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of information on this website, product availability, specifications, and pricing are subject to change without notice. By using this website and purchasing our products, you acknowledge and accept these conditions.
FAQ
To read our Frequently Asked Questions, click here.