Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas)

InsectMothSoutheast Asia

Overview

The atlas moth (Attacus atlas) is a giant saturniid moth of South and Southeast Asia and among the largest moths in the world by wing surface area. Its wings are a rich rust-brown with triangular translucent windows and bold cream and black banding.

The most remarkable detail is at the wingtips. The upper corner of each forewing is shaped and marked to resemble a snake's head, complete with an eye-like spot and a curved outline — a resemblance that, when the moth moves its wings, appears to deter predators.

The adult atlas moth cannot feed. It emerges with only vestigial mouthparts and lives entirely on the reserves accumulated during its caterpillar stage, which gives the adult a life measured in a small number of days devoted to reproduction.

Habitat & Range

Atlas moths occur across tropical and subtropical forests of South and Southeast Asia — India, Sri Lanka, southern China, Southeast Asia and the Indonesian archipelago. They are associated with forest and secondary growth where their larval host plants are available, and adults are nocturnal, resting by day among foliage.

Diet

Caterpillars are the only feeding stage, browsing on the leaves of a wide range of trees and shrubs, including citrus, cinnamon, guava and many others. They grow to a large size, are pale green with fleshy projections and a waxy white coating, and store the reserves that the adult will live on. Adults do not feed at all.

Behavior

Because adults cannot feed, everything about the adult stage is compressed into mating. Females emerge and release pheromones; males, with large feathery antennae that detect those pheromones at extremely low concentration, fly considerable distances to find them. The moth is nocturnal and, at rest by day, relies on its cryptic brown colouring and the snake-head wingtips for protection.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Atlas moth cocoons are made of a coarse, durable brown silk sometimes known as fagara, which is harvested on a small scale in parts of Asia, and empty cocoons have been used as purses in Taiwan. The moth is a popular exhibit in butterfly houses because of its size and appearance. Its dependence on forest habitat makes it sensitive to habitat loss. This profile offers no rearing, collecting or handling guidance; wild insects and their habitats are protected in various jurisdictions.