Acherontia atropos

Dispatches from Australian warehouse
Please note this is not a Riker mount i.e. cheap form of white fiberfill batting in which the specimen lays and is squashed against the glass. Our specimens are professionally mounted sitting proud of the backboard.

Australian company owned and operated since 1999

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION     

SPECIES  Acherontia atropos          

ORIGIN   Africa

FRAME   14.5x14.5xD5cm Made from recycled products.

DESCRIPTION  AKA Deaths Head Hawk moth. Found throughout tropical Africa and Europe this large hawkmoth ( ranging from 85-125mm ) Acherontia atropos has a fearsome reputation as it was traditionally seen an omen of death.

It is identified by its yellow striped abdomen and skull like marking on its thorax. ( Skull like markings vary from moth to moth )

Known as the prophecy of doom in Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native and tormentor of the unstable King George lll this moth developed a sinister reputation.

More recently this moth was made famous by the chilling psychological thriller The Silence of the Lambs in which the serial killer leaves  a pupae of this moth as a  “ calling card “ in the throats of his victims.

This moth is a robber. Unlike most moths this large species is able to trick bee colonies into allowing it to enter hives in order to take honey directly from them without being stung. It has a hard outer cuticle and is said to mimic the queen bee in size and appearance and odor thus allowing it to move about inside the honeycombs. It is able to emit a loud shriek when disturbed but is generally harmless.

Our framed specimens are farmed. Please note markings may vary.

Item must be hung only by hook provided.

POSTAGE - National and International

National 

    • Dispatch from our Australian warehouse is usually within 2-3 working days from placement of order. Depending on your location delivery is usually within 7 working days of dispatch of order. Please make exception for public holidays.
    • Domestic carriers are Aramex Couriers or Australia Post
    • If you live in a remote area we will dispatch via Australia Post.
    • When your product has been dispatched you will receive an email notification which will contain courier details and online tracking ID. b&b™ has no control over your parcel once it has left our warehouse.
    • Please ensure you are available to take receipt of parcel - if not available all parcels are authority to leave and will be left in a safe place at your address.

International 

  • Once international order has been received and paid item will be dispatched via Australia post and you will be emailed the tracking #.

    ·      Happy to combine multiple purchases.

    ·      b&b™ has been shipping to countries worldwide for over 10 years. As we do not deal in CITES species no permits are required.

    ·      Delivery to countries from our Australian warehouse normally takes between 10-14 working days.

    ·      Normal rates apply to countries other than Australia, however b&b™ does subsidise postage so that your costs are kept to a minimum.  We do not reimburse for lost items. Please allow extra time for delivery over holiday periods.

    ·      All our invoices state the exact species names for customs purposes. As we do not deal in any CITES        specimens no permits are required.

RETURNS - National

  • We pack our items very carefully however breakages sometimes occur during delivery.
  • Head office must be notified of damage within 2 days of receipt by courier. Only Head Office can authorise returns.
  • We will require an image emailed to our office. We will then email you a confirmation email advising as to whether the item will be required to be returned for replacement. This is at our discretion.If we are out of stock of the item we will credit your account or you may wish to choose another item.
  • b&b™ will credit the cost of return freight for any damaged items.
  • Items being returned must be well packed to avoid further damage, be in their original box and posted within 7 days of receipt.
  • We are unable to accept returns for the following:-

        1.Change of mind ( Please note colours on website are as close to the actual colourings of the insect as is possible to reproduce online ).

        2.Returned items shipped after 10 days of receipt.

        3.Items are returned without Head Office approval.

        4.Items arrive in a distressed condition ( i.e. not as per emailed image ) due to inadequate packaging.

        5. Item must be hung only by hook provided.

RETURNS - International

  • We pack our items very carefully however breakages sometimes occur during delivery.
  • Head office must be notified of damage within 2 days of receipt.
  • We will require an image emailed to our office. We will then email you a confirmation email advising refund details if applicable. 
  • b&b™ will credit the cost of return freight for any damaged items.
  • We are unable to accept returns for the following -

        - Change of mind ( Please note colours on website are as close to the actual colourings of the insect as is possible to reproduce online ).

FAQ

  • Insects are a natural product and as such small imperfections may occur.
  • All the insects are permanently/professionally mounted to the backboard and cannot be removed without causing damage to the specimen.
  • As company policy, b&b™ does not trade in endangered, rare or otherwise protected wildlife. No specimen is listed  on CITES and no specimen requires permits. We do not stock birdwing butterflies. We source some of our supplies of common, abundant insect species from Government regulated ranching cooperatives in many countries. Your purchase actually aids environmental conservation rather than detracting from it by encouraging the indigenous caretakers to maintain host plant areas. Furthermore, our black frames are not made from real wood. Ethical concerns over deforestation in many third world countries has led us to pioneer the use of timber substitute framing. All frames have glass fronts with a hook ready to hang. The use of recycled cardboard in our carry boxes also makes our product the complete eco friendly gift.
  • All butterflies, other insects and arachnids found in b&b™ are REAL! We do not alter, enhance or otherwise modify their natural colour. Website images are as close as possible to true likeness. Some sizings of insect in frame maybe approximate.

Care of your framed insects

  • All frames are fumigated and are professionally prepared. As this is a natural product book lice may occur in your frame. Book lice are present in most environments, do not carry disease and are best dealt with by following the instructions below.
  • These tiny insects can be detected by black dust underneath the bug. If this occurs immediately place frame inside a plastic bag and put into freezer for a minimum of 72 hours. If you have a collection constant monitoring is highly recommended to avoid these tiny insects attacking your specimen. Keep framed specimens out of direct sunlight and keep in low humid areas. This will prevent mould and help prevent book lice.
  • Correct care for your framed insect specimen will ensure many years of enjoyment.
  • Item must be hung only by hook provided.

  • Bits & Bugs are not liable for replacement of item in the event of non due diligence as specified in care instructions

    THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AT BITS&BUGS