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Snake "heads"

Atlas Moths - Atlas Attacus

 

Female in foreground, male in background

 

The Atlas Moth has the largest wing surface area of all moths. It is so named because its wing patterns resemble maps. The Atlas Moth's wings have triangular transparent "windows" whose purpose we don't know. The wing tips are hooked and resemble a snake's head complete with eye, to scare off predators.

 

Breeding: Female Atlas Moths attract males by secreting a pheromone through a gland at the end of the abdomen. The male Atlas Moths has huge long feathery antennae to track down the female by her pheromones. The females are much larger than the males and don't have feathery antennae.

 

Callaway Garden Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center

 

www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/inverts/atlas_moth.htm

 

www.callawaygardens.com/gardens/attractions/butterfly-cen...

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Uploaded on May 5, 2010
Taken on May 3, 2010