AW Book of Insect and Invertebrates - Chat and discussion

Discussions and information on all Southern African Invertebrates

Moderator: Klipspringer

Klipspringer
Global Moderator
Posts: 5862
Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2013 12:34 pm
Country: Germany
Contact:

Re: AW Book of Insect and Invertebrates - Chat and discussion

Post by Klipspringer »

Acherontia atropos receives both its species and genus names from death or dark-related terms

The species name atropos relates to death, and is named after the Greek goddess Atropos. Atropos was one of the three Moirai, goddesses of fate and destiny. According to Greek mythology, the three Moirai decide the fate of humans, making them a lesser symbol of death.

The genus name Acherontia is in relation to Acheron, a river located in Epirus, Greece. In mythology, Acheron was thought to be a pathway that lead to Hades due to the large, dark gorges it flowed through. In Greek mythology, Acheron is a river in Hades, and the name itself occasionally refers directly to the underworld.

The common name Death's-Head Hawk-moth refers to the skull-like mark on its thorax.

Given its unusual markings, it's probably not surprising that people once considered it a bad omen. In 1840, entomologist Moses Harris wrote that "It is regarded not as the creation of a benevolent being, but the device of evil spirits—spirits enemies to man—conceived and fabricated in the dark, and the very shining of its eyes is thought to represent the fiery element whence it is supposed to have proceeded. Flying into their apartments in the evening at times it extinguishes the light; foretelling war, pestilence, hunger, death to man and beast."

Beautiful creature O/\


User avatar
Lisbeth
Site Admin
Posts: 67237
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Lugano
Contact:

Re: AW Book of Insect and Invertebrates - Chat and discussion

Post by Lisbeth »

Great story! ^Q^

Incredible what superstitious minds can make up ;-)


"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
User avatar
Lisbeth
Site Admin
Posts: 67237
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Lugano
Contact:

Re: AW Book of Insect and Invertebrates - Chat and discussion

Post by Lisbeth »

The Cuckoo Wasp has some incredible colours. I want a summer dress like that ;-)


"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
User avatar
Richprins
Committee Member
Posts: 75838
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 3:52 pm
Location: NELSPRUIT
Contact:

Re: AW Book of Insect and Invertebrates - Chat and discussion

Post by Richprins »

Good story, Klippies! :ty:


Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
User avatar
Richprins
Committee Member
Posts: 75838
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 3:52 pm
Location: NELSPRUIT
Contact:

Re: AW Book of Insect and Invertebrates - Chat and discussion

Post by Richprins »

Alf wrote: Wed May 20, 2020 7:21 pm That thing is ugly O-/
Watch 'Silence of the Lambs." :twisted:


Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
User avatar
Lisbeth
Site Admin
Posts: 67237
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Lugano
Contact:

Re: AW Book of Insect and Invertebrates - Chat and discussion

Post by Lisbeth »

There has been a tornado where ExFmem lives, I hope that she has not been caught in it O-/


"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
User avatar
Lisbeth
Site Admin
Posts: 67237
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Lugano
Contact:

Re: AW Book of Insect and Invertebrates - Chat and discussion

Post by Lisbeth »

Why is the butterfly called dotted blue, when the dots are brown :-?


"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
Klipspringer
Global Moderator
Posts: 5862
Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2013 12:34 pm
Country: Germany
Contact:

Re: AW Book of Insect and Invertebrates - Chat and discussion

Post by Klipspringer »

Lisbeth wrote: Mon Jun 15, 2020 5:55 pm Why is the butterfly called dotted blue, when the dots are brown :-?
The upperside is blue and only the underside is dotted.

Species in the subfamily Polyommatinae are referred to as the 'blues' - they are all blue on the upperside (males more so than females)


User avatar
Lisbeth
Site Admin
Posts: 67237
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Lugano
Contact:

Re: AW Book of Insect and Invertebrates - Chat and discussion

Post by Lisbeth »

\O Not in the photo though, maybe they are females ;-)


"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
Klipspringer
Global Moderator
Posts: 5862
Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2013 12:34 pm
Country: Germany
Contact:

Re: AW Book of Insect and Invertebrates - Chat and discussion

Post by Klipspringer »

You see only the underside and one has a missing piece of wing and you see some brown from the upperside, that is a female. Their wings are brown and blue.


Post Reply

Return to “Invertebrates”