Wingspan - _TNY_6480
Here's a female atlas moth (Attacus atlas)
When you look at one of these, the first thing you notice is definitely the size! With a wingspan which can reach 24 cm /9.5" these are some of the largest moths/butterflies on the planet.
The Cantonese name for this species is "snake's head moth" - can you see why?
It is because way the tips of the wings mimics the head of a snake from the side in order to scare of potential predators - pretty cool, right?
For a closer shot of the same moth, please have a look here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52015142038/
I also made a short video showing this one next to my hand - plus two more very large moths here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52008401623/
Wingspan - _TNY_6480
Here's a female atlas moth (Attacus atlas)
When you look at one of these, the first thing you notice is definitely the size! With a wingspan which can reach 24 cm /9.5" these are some of the largest moths/butterflies on the planet.
The Cantonese name for this species is "snake's head moth" - can you see why?
It is because way the tips of the wings mimics the head of a snake from the side in order to scare of potential predators - pretty cool, right?
For a closer shot of the same moth, please have a look here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52015142038/
I also made a short video showing this one next to my hand - plus two more very large moths here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52008401623/