Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
🦋 A moth genus 🦋 A large moth
Acherontia

Acherontia

9.9
A large moth with a skull-shaped mark on its back
  • noun
  • /ˌækəˈrɒnʃə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Acherontia
  • Because of its skull-like markings, the Acherontia moth has inspired many myths.

Examples

  • The Acherontia genus includes the well-known death's-head hawkmoth.

  • Scientists discovered a new species within the Acherontia genus in Asia.

  • The Acherontia is often associated with superstition.

  • Have you ever seen an Acherontia in the wild?

  • The Acherontia moth, recognizable by its unique skull-like markings, can be found in various parts of the world.

  • One fascinating fact about the Acherontia genus is that its larvae feed on toxic plants like nightshades.

  • Many entomologists study the Acherontia moth to understand its role in the ecosystem.

Synonyms

death's-head moth
vsAcherontia
9.9

A large moth with a skull-shaped dark mark on its back

is the scientific genus name for that group rather than the common regional name

Compounds

Acherontia atropos
  • Specialized
9.9

A large moth from Europe with a pattern like a human skull on its back

Surface Forms

Acherontia singular
Acherontias plural

Etymology

Acherontia is named after the Greek river Acheron, known in old tales as 'the river of the dead'. The skull-like mark on these large moths made people call them 'death's-head' moths, so the name matches their spooky appearance.