23 Nov 2015

Death’s Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia styx medusa) flashing

by | posted in: Butterflies and Moths, Videography | 0

The earlier posting on “Death’s Head Hawk Moth – pupal development” identified the moth as Acherontia lachesis. This is incorrect. According to Dr Leong Tzi Ming, it should be Acherontia styx medusa.

This identification is based on the design of the abdomen, which becomes more obvious when the wings are raised, as seen in Tzi Ming’s earlier video (below) that shows the adult moth flashing its abdomen and squeaking from it’s ‘Squeaker’s Corner’. Sometimes, flashing may be accompanied by squeaking sounds.

Text by YC Wee; image and video by Dr Leong Tzi Ming

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Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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