Please, tell me. What "bug" is this?! Photo.

The photos were taken by my ex & my kids. She asked me if i knew what this bug is, and i have never seen anything like it. According to her it is almost the size of her hand, the size of a small hand. I can verify the size of this bug by looking at the blades of the grass.

They say this bug made a screeching noise.

Living in South Africa we see our strange bugs, as many other countries do. But this one i have never ever seen.

BTW: I have asked them if they would put one of their hands next to it for comparison, so you guys can see, well, no luck there

The wings seems as if it has bones in it, not?

They described it as half moth and half bat..and i love the Grey looking face

reply to post by KaelemJames


It's a deaths head moth

The death’s-head hawkmoth, Acherontia atropos, is found throughout tropical Africa and adjacent areas. It also migrates into temperate regions and is regularly found in the UK. Death's-head hawkmoth It is one of the UK’s largest moths and is readily identified by its large size, the skull-like marking on the thorax and its yellow-striped abdomen. The females are very similar to the males but have thinner antennae, slightly broader and more rounded wings, and fatter bodies. Unlike most moths that collect nectar from flowers, the death’s-head hawkmoth is very well adapted to raiding honeybee colonies and sucking honey directly from the comb

Cody

death head hawk moth

reply to post by KaelemJames


It looks like some type of Giant Cicada - similar marking on a upper torso and wing shape.

reply to post by Sublimecraft


Nope
It's a deaths head moth

Originally posted by cody599
reply to post by Sublimecraft

 

Nope
It's a deaths head moth

Ahh yes - I think you nailed it mate.

Thank guys! Cody gets the 1st prize, a HUGE thank you!

Never seen these in my 40 years in this country, even though it is said to be from Africa!

Thanks to all of you guys!


reply to post by Sublimecraft


Crapballs! I thought Africa was bad!

Originally posted by Sublimecraft

Originally posted by cody599
reply to post by Sublimecraft

 

Nope
It's a deaths head moth

Ahh yes - I think you nailed it mate.

Silence of the lambs was more educational than I thought

reply to post by KaelemJames


You're more than welcome.
Glad I could help

Cody

and que music for this bug.......

reply to post by cody599


ahh man...didn't see you post the SofTL reference...beat me too it Oh well...

Originally posted by suicideeddie
death head hawk moth

Looking at the timestamp you deserve credit too!

So yeah, you and Cody are both right. I knew this moth too, but I'm glad I was beaten by other knowledgeable members. I see crazy moths every day, even the Atlas Moth is here lol

reply to post by Neopan100


Ah, the moth on the poster! Slow day for me

Originally posted by Neopan100
reply to post by cody599

 

ahh man...didn't see you post the SofTL reference...beat me too it

Oh well...

Nah man thanks for posting the video
You beat to that little gem

Cody

Originally posted by Philippines

Originally posted by suicideeddie
death head hawk moth

Looking at the timestamp you deserve credit too!

So yeah, you and Cody are both right. I knew this moth too, but I'm glad I was beaten by other knowledgeable members. I see crazy moths every day, even the Atlas Moth is here lol

It's not a race

But yeah there must have been seconds in it

Way to go suicideeddie good call

reply to post by Philippines


He definitely deserves credit. So, a big thank you to suicideeddie, too!

I didn't look at the time stamp. My bad

*Did star him though