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Glite Dictionary
Acherontia atropos

Acherontia atropos

9.9
A large moth from Europe with a pattern like a human skull on its back
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Acherontia atropos
  • The distinctive skull-like pattern on the back of the Acherontia atropos has inspired many myths and legends.

Examples

  • The Acherontia atropos, or death's-head hawkmoth, is often associated with superstition in European folklore.

  • The Acherontia atropos is known for its distinctive skull-like markings.

  • During our trip, we saw an Acherontia atropos resting on the garden wall at dusk.

  • Look at that Acherontia atropos!

  • While hiking in the countryside, we spotted an Acherontia atropos resting on a flower, its remarkable skull-like markings clearly visible.

  • The Acherontia atropos, commonly referred to as the death's-head hawkmoth, is often mentioned in literature due to its eerie appearance.

  • Many people are fascinated by the Acherontia atropos because of its unique skull pattern and its role in various cultural superstitions.

Synonyms

hawkmoth
vsAcherontia atropos
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A large moth with long wings that hovers to drink flower nectar

is the single European species known for skull-like thorax markings
death's-head moth
vsAcherontia atropos
9.9

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

is the scientific Latin name rather than the common name

Surface Forms

Acherontia atropos singular
Acherontia atroposes plural

Morphology

Acherontia + Atropos

The item is a Latin binomial made of two proper names (a taxonomic genus and a mythological epithet), so its referent (a particular species of hawkmoth with skull-like markings) is not derived by ordinary English compositional rules. Even if a learner knows that 'Atropos' relates to death, knowing the constituents does not reliably lead a B1 learner to infer the specific meaning without biological/taxonomic knowledge.

Etymology

Acherontia atropos has a dark, skull-like mark on its back, so people call it the 'death's-head hawkmoth'. Its species name 'atropos' comes from an old story about a figure who ends life, so the moth has long been linked to 'death' and superstition.