Bee Tiger: The Death's Head Hawk-moth through the Looking-glass

"Philip Howse, an expert on mimicry, takes us on a tour de force of the biology and rich folk lore of this intriguing insect. This hawk-moth, with its yellow and black stripes, stalks like a tiger bee-hives to get to the honey, undetected by the bees. It has the ability to deceive the bees but also its predators, birds and bats. Our perception of it as a threat and the creation of superstitions is due to sinister-looking human skull markings on its thorax." -- Provided by publisher.