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Atlas Moth - Attacus atlas
Family Saturniidae - Giant Silkworm and
Royal Moths -- Hodges #s 7704 - 7770
Range: Southeast
Asia
Captive live moths photographed at the Peggy Notebaert Nature
Museum, Chicago, Illinois. |
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Atlas Moth - Attacus atlas |
Almost Abstract
The Atlas moth is a large moth in the family
Saturniidae. It is found in the tropical and
subtropical forests of Southeast Asia. Atlas
moths are the largest moths in the world in
terms of total wing surface area (upwards of c.
400 square cm or 65 square inches). Their
wingspan is amongst the largest, from 25-30 cm
(10-12 inches). Females are appreciably larger
and heavier than the male. Atlas moths are said
to be named after either the Titan of Greek
mythology, or their map-like wing patterns. In
Hong Kong, the Cantonese name translates as
"snake's head moth", referring to apical
extension of the forewing, which bears a passing
resemblance to a snake's head.
Atlas moths are predominantly tawny to maroon in
color with roughly triangular eyespots on both
fore and hindwings. Patterns and coloration vary
among the many described subspecies. Male Atlas
moths are distinguished from females by their
smaller size, more tapered wings, and larger,
bushier antennae. Neither sex possess
fully-formed mouthparts and therefore do not
feed; they survive entirely on larval fat
reserves throughout their 1-2 week adult life.
Females are sexually passive, releasing powerful
pheromones which males detect and home in on
with the help of chemoreceptors located on their
large feathery antennae. Males may thus be
attracted from several kilometers downwind.
Atlas moths are unsteady fliers and the female
does not stray far from the location of her
discarded chrysalis: she seeks a perch where the
air currents will best carry her pheromones.
Once mated, the female lays a number of
spherical eggs 2.5 mm in diameter on the
undersides of leaves. Dusty-green caterpillars
hatch after about two weeks and feed voraciously
on the foliage of certain citrus and other
trees. The caterpillars are adorned with fleshy
spines along their backs which are covered in a
waxy white substance. After reaching a length of
about 115 mm (4.5 inches), the caterpillars
pupate, emerging as adults after approximately
four weeks. . -- From
Wikipedia |
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Atlas Moth - wings, underside
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