WORLD'S LARGEST MOTH

The Atlas moth (Attacus atlas) is a large saturniid moth found in the tropical and
subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, southern China, India, the Malay archipelago, Thailand to Indonesia.
These moths are considered the largest in the world in terms of total wing surface area (upwards of 400 square cm. or 65 square inches). Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, from 25-30 cm (10-12 inches).
Atlas moths are predominantly tawny to maroon in colour with roughly triangular, diaphanous
"eyes" on both forewing and hindwing, bordered in black. The purpose of these dramatic,
gossamer portals is not clear, but they are thought to play a role in predator avoidance.
Their bodies are hairy and disproportionately small compared to their wings. Patterns and
colouration vary among the many described subspecies. Male Atlas moths are distinguished
from females by their smaller size, more tapered wings, and larger, bushier antennae.
Another interesting characteristic of the Atlas moth is that it doesn’t have fully developed mouth-parts, so it can’t feed…ever. It survives on the larval fat reserves, throughout their entire 1-2 weeks adult lives.
In India, Atlas moths are cultivated for their silk in a non-commercial capacity; unlike that produced by the related Silkworm moth (Bombyx mori), Atlas moth silk is secreted as broken strands. This brown, wool-like silk is thought to have greater durability and is known as fagara.