Asia's Atlas Is A Giant Among Moths
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When we think of moths, the image of the dull-looking brown cloth moth, notorious for gnawing through our finest outfits, is usually what pops up in our minds. However, turns out that there are about 16,000 species of these insects, nearly ten times as many as their prettier cousin, the butterfly.
While a majority are similar looking, a few, stand out - Amongst them is the Madagascar Sunset Moth, which is known for its beauty, the Death's Head Hawk moth, which is associated with evil and the supernatural and, the biggest of them all . . . . . The Attacus Atlas moth.
Native to South Asia these ginormous insects can be found all the way from India to Papua New Guinea, in Oceania. With wingspans measuring over 25-centimeters that can be seen from a distance thanks to the colorful patterns on its wings, the insects can be quite intimidating, especially for people who have never seen them before.
Indian photographer Sandesh Kadur and his team were lucky enough to encounter one recently whilst driving through Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India. Given that the moth fitted right in with the mission of his trip, which was to document the biodiversity of the area, the photographer quickly pulled out his camera to snap a picture or two. As soon as he did, instead of flying away the moth showed off, by spreading its wings as far out as possible, something it does to fend off predators.
As Mr. Kadur quickly snapped this amazing picture, a member of his team was able to sneak behind the moth and roughly measure its wingspan, which it turned out, was wider than his face!
Intimidating as it looked, the photographers knew they were in no danger of getting hurt by this gentle giant that has a lifespan of a mere two weeks. For that matter even the tiniest of creatures are in no danger, because believe it or not, the moth does not have a mouth. Instead, the insect relies on its fat stores from all the eating it does during the larval stage when it was still evolving from an egg to a pupa. It's sole purpose as an adult is to reproduce and . . . . . . . . scare unsuspecting people!
Resources: newscientist.com, wikipedia.com
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214 Comments
- cool guyabout 12 yearscool
- Rebecca L.about 12 yearsWow the moths relly looked pretty. The only moths that i ever see is the icky white ones that you dont even think cousins with the butterfly.
- David P.about 12 yearsSuch an astonishing article! I have now learned a little more about this extraordinary creature. I learned that the moth does not have a mouth because it relies on its fat stores from all the eating it does during the larval stage. I also have learned that it is very intimidating! I hope that the scientist will keep discovering more interesting and intimidating creatures like this one to add to their other discoveries. I would also like to recommend this article to people who like learning about moths.
cutegirlabout 12 yearsI did not know they were butterflies. sry.- Anthony L.about 12 yearsThis was a really intresting article! I never new that there was something in the world that did not have a mouth!! I would really like to see one of these moths!! I learned in this article that some things don't have mouths. This article was very intresting!!!!
cutehareabout 12 yearsI kinda like those.- Alexandruabout 12 yearsSuch an profound account of this rare species of moth purely astonishes me. This moth, in my creed, has more substantial refinement than any species of butterfly that I have ever laid my eyes upon. It is a massive anguish to my heart that the customary stereotype of a moth is a revolting, dusty, consumer of expensive apparel. I personally believe that one specimen of this atlas moth should by proudly displayed at every zoological garden. I would recommend this detail of a wondrous animal to an acquaintance.
- kimbosliceabout 12 yearsthat is huge
- u r coolabout 12 yearsjenning that is so smart you should be on story works {magazine} and be a word neard
- Max Cabout 12 yearsThis article tought me that moths can be big but they wouldn't harm you. They're are a big combination of moths. I like all of them I just can't pick a favorite. I'm just used to seeing regular discusting moths. After this article I learned that there are so many different moths.
