A rough, ladies night

"Atlas Moth" (Attacus atlas) - is a large saturniid moth found across South-east Asia in the tropical and subtropical forests, and is common across Malay archipelago. Atlas Moth is the "largest" Moth in the world in terms of wing surface area (around 12"!!). In Taiwan, their cocoons are used as Purses because of their durability.

Unfortunately, once they are out of their cocoon, they have a very short life span. The purpose of the female Atlas Moth is mainly to reproduce. They often die quickly after they mate and lay eggs (between one and two weeks of its adult life).

I spotted this beauty in Thadiyandamol, Coorg, Karnataka, India. It is the largest moth I have ever seen!

comments (6)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Besides their enormous wings, their antennae are equally impressive! Posted 10 years ago
1. Avinash Krishnamurthy
  
  Musk Oxen
  
  I agree!
  
  Some moths even look more beautiful than certain species of Butterflies! Posted 10 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    They generally are more beautiful, or so it is stated in a macro book I'm reading. Where I live, in the Netherlands, we have a very low diversity in butterflies, yet several hundreds of moth species active at night, which people never get to see. Posted 10 years ago
  2. 1. Avinash Krishnamurthy
      
      Musk Oxen
      
      We have less Moths here and more Butterflies, but living inside a city makes hardly any difference - they are both very low in numbers.
      
      May be I should go to remote areas with wilderness at night sometime and try to spot a few Moths.. It would be a great experience! Posted 10 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        I wonder if thats true, your remark on moths. There's an easy way to find out. At night, illuminate a blank sheet for a few hours outside your house :) Posted 10 years ago

Avinash Krishnamurthy

Musk Oxen

Excellent idea that one, Ferdy! I will see if I could do that outside the house. Shouldn't be too hard.. Thanks :) Posted 10 years ago

The Atlas Moth

The Atlas moth is a large saturniid moth found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, and common across the Malay archipelago. Atlas moths are considered the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area. Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, reaching over 25 cm. Females are appreciably larger and heavier.

Info 27 1

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Avinash Krishnamurthy