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VOL. 10, ISSUE 12 (2025)
Migratory insights and first locality record of the African Death’s-Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos) in Usilampatti, Tamil Nadu
Authors
Raghul K, Renuka James, Poolpandi K
Abstract
The African Death’s-Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia
atropos Linnaeus, 1758) [14] is a large, migratory, and rarely
recorded sphingid moth, easily recognized by the distinctive skull-like marking
on its thorax. Native primarily to Africa and parts of southern Europe, the
species is known for long-distance dispersal and sporadic range expansion. The
present study reports the first confirmed occurrence of A. atropos from
Usilampatti, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India, representing a significant
extension of its known distribution in southern India. A single adult moth was
observed and documented during field surveys conducted in [insert month and
year]. Identification was confirmed
based on external morphological characters, including wing pattern, body size,
and thoracic markings, consistent with standard taxonomic descriptions of A.
atropos. This record adds a new locality to the Indian distribution of the
species and highlights the importance of continuous faunal documentation to
understand migratory trends, range expansion, and biodiversity dynamics of
sphingid moths in peninsular India.
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Pages:169-173
How to cite this article:
Raghul K, Renuka James, Poolpandi K "Migratory insights and first locality record of the African Death’s-Head Hawk Moth (<i>Acherontia atropos</i>) in Usilampatti, Tamil Nadu". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 10, Issue 12, 2025, Pages 169-173
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