Attacus atlas

Very impressive - one of my favorite moths!  I'll always remember the first time I ever saw this species live, at a butterfly house.  Hoping to also eventually see a live Coscinocera hercules; another giant, that combines the size of Attacus atlas with the long hindwing tails of Actias luna:

Male - 

38fe63f490740e99f7af83610a6fad3e.jpg


Female - 

43712786821_48c4c5ec6e_b.jpg


 
Since it seems people are now just posting pictures of any large moth, here is my Argema mittrei specimen. I volunteer at a butterfly house, and I got to hold this one when it was alive. 

EF149278-9590-468B-816B-83FB8DE628B2.jpeg

PS. If you are wondering why it is pinned to a tree and not it a case, then I should mention that I took this on April Fools Day to upload to iNaturalist. Sadly, no identifiers came across it before the end of the day, so I deleted the observation to prevent any confusion. 

 
Since it seems people are now just posting pictures of any large moth, here is my Argema mittrei specimen. I volunteer at a butterfly house, and I got to hold this one when it was alive.

PS. If you are wondering why it is pinned to a tree and not it a case, then I should mention that I took this on April Fools Day to upload to iNaturalist. Sadly, no identifiers came across it before the end of the day, so I deleted the observation to prevent any confusion. 
Was that specimen raised from a larva in the US, or did it simply emerge from an imported cocoon?  Just out of curiosity - if reared in the US, do you know what food plant was used?  I've heard that in captivity, this species has been kept on Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), as well as Eucalyptus gunnii, Pistacia spp.Rhus spp., Mimosa spp., and even Toxicodendron pubescens (Poison Oak).

 
Was that specimen raised from a larva in the US, or did it simply emerge from an imported cocoon?  Just out of curiosity - if reared in the US, do you know what food plant was used?  I've heard that in captivity, this species has been kept on Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), as well as Eucalyptus gunnii, Pistacia spp.Rhus spp., Mimosa spp., and even Toxicodendron pubescens (Poison Oak).
This was from an imported cocoon. 

 
Back
Top