Looking Back: The "Death's Head" Moth Captured at Kilcullen

Some time ago one of the rarest specimens of moths, known as the Death's Head Moth, was captured at Kilcullen.

This moth owes its gruesome name to the peculiar markings on its back, resembling a skull and cross-bones, and was at one time a greatly dreaded insect.

It has a wing-spread of fully five inches and this together with its extraordinary markings ensured its receiving due notice, if not bewilderment, when it makes an appearance.

It has the power of uttering a distinct squeaking note, a power very rare, if existing at all, among other members of the moth species.

Though very rare, there is probably no part of Ireland where the Death's Head Moth may not be found sometime or another. The species is thought to be a migratory habit, though it is possible that the splendid specimen caught at Kilcullen may have been reared from the caterpillar stage in the potato fields about its captor's home, the potato plant forming its chief food, at least in the early stages of its evolution.

— Local newspaper report 1928.

(Credit to Dave Byrne for trawling through the old newspaper archives for reports about and around Kilcullen.)

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