Acherontia atropos, Insects of Cyprus Thematic Issue, Republic of Cyprus
Dublin Core
Title
Acherontia atropos, Insects of Cyprus Thematic Issue, Republic of Cyprus
Description
Moths are classified as insects and belong to the order of Lepidoptera. Insects are the largest class in the Animal Kingdom and some one million of them have been described to date. They (the insects) represent at least three- quarters of all living organisms. Moths are nocturnal insects and are apt to scorch themselves by fluttering around a light source. The stunningly colored mosaic patterned wings of moths and butterflies often help them to remain camouflaged, especially when these blend into their surroundings. The 15 cents stamp depicts the Acherontia atropos moth better known by its common name Death’s Head Hawk Moth. It has a wing span of 11-14 cm and is the largest to appear in Great Britain. Its range covers the whole of Europe (except the far North) and Africa. It flies at dusk and it habitually enters beehives in search of honey. The eggs are laid single on leaves of a wide variety of plant but especially on those of the potato family. The life cycle of a moth (the same applies for a butterfly) extends over four stages.
1. The Ovum (egg) usually laid on the food plant.
2. Larva (caterpillar) it changes its skin three to five times and appears to do nothing but eat and grow.
3. Pupa, the larva buries itself in soft soil about 15 cm below the soil surface. Where a moth pupa is covered in silk it is called a cocoon. (in the case of butterflies it is called Chrysalis) 4. Imago (adult). Fully formed the moth emerges to spread its wings. (Extract from: Michael Dickens and E. Storey, The World of Moths)
1. The Ovum (egg) usually laid on the food plant.
2. Larva (caterpillar) it changes its skin three to five times and appears to do nothing but eat and grow.
3. Pupa, the larva buries itself in soft soil about 15 cm below the soil surface. Where a moth pupa is covered in silk it is called a cocoon. (in the case of butterflies it is called Chrysalis) 4. Imago (adult). Fully formed the moth emerges to spread its wings. (Extract from: Michael Dickens and E. Storey, The World of Moths)
Source
Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus
Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία
Publisher
Library of Cyprus University of Technology
Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology
Date
Contributor
Designer: A. Ladommatos
Rights
Απαγορεύεται η δημοσίευση ή αναπαραγωγή, ηλεκτρονική ή άλλη χωρίς τη γραπτή συγκατάθεση του δημιουργού.
Relation
www.cypruspost.gov.cy
Format
TIFF
Language
EL, EN
Type
Identifier
1997-INSECTS-15
Coverage
35.160417, 33.346556
Provenance
Oriental Press, Bahrain
Collection
Citation
Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus and Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία, “Acherontia atropos, Insects of Cyprus Thematic Issue, Republic of Cyprus,” Αψίδα, accessed January 13, 2025, https://apsida.cut.ac.cy/items/show/13701.