Silence of the Lambs moth found in school compost

A giant moth made famous by the film poster for Silence of the Lambs has been found in a school compost bin.

The African death's-head hawkmoth was discovered in a nature area at Wicor Primary School in Portchester, Hampshire.

Native to southern Europe and Africa, the moth has a wingspan of up to 14cm and a distinctive skull-like marking on the back of its head.

The species is rarely seen in the UK and the school's horticulturalist Louise Moreton said it was a "once-in-a-lifetime" chance for the children and staff to see it.

She described how she first noticed it when she heard its distinctive mouse-like squeak.

"It was so loud and so big, I thought 'my goodness we've got another mouse', but no, it was the beautiful moth," she said.

"It looks incredible with its marking like a bee on its underside and it has a very big face as well."

The moth is in a specialist habitat frame in the compost bin, and the school plans to show it to the children before it is released.

"We want the children to share in this - it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance," Moreton said.

"They'll understand its about looking after the wildlife they've brought in to their habitat."

Butterfly Conservation's head of science Prof Richard Fox said it was "always exciting" to spot the species in the UK.

He said the caterpillars, which can be found on potato plants, cannot survive British winters.

"As an uncommon visitor from warmer parts of Europe, it's not your everyday back garden moth, but it can breed here during the summer," he added.

The moth featured in Silence of the Lambs when serial killer Buffalo Bill left it in the mouth of a victim.

It was famously used in the publicity images for the 1991 Oscar-winning film, with its open wings covering Jodie Foster's mouth.