In Silence of the Lambs, what insect pupa is placed in a victim's throat?

In Silence of the Lambs, what insect pupa is placed in a victim's throat?

• A. Death's-head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos)
• B. Luna moth (Actias luna)
• C. Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
• D. Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia)

Answer: (A)

The concept here is recognizing a distinctive forensic clue tied to a specific insect. The Death’s-head hawkmoth, Acherontia atropos, is famous for its skull-like pattern on the thorax and for having a large pupal stage. In Silence of the Lambs, the killer’s signature involves a Death’s-head hawkmoth pupa placed in a victim’s throat, making this particular moth the memorable and fitting clue that points to the perpetrator. The other insects listed are moths or a butterfly without that skull motif or narrative association, so they don’t fit the clue in the film as well.

The concept here is recognizing a distinctive forensic clue tied to a specific insect. The Death’s-head hawkmoth, Acherontia atropos, is famous for its skull-like pattern on the thorax and for having a large pupal stage. In Silence of the Lambs, the killer’s signature involves a Death’s-head hawkmoth pupa placed in a victim’s throat, making this particular moth the memorable and fitting clue that points to the perpetrator. The other insects listed are moths or a butterfly without that skull motif or narrative association, so they don’t fit the clue in the film as well.