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Here we see an Atlas Moth - Attacus atlas emerging from its cocoon, and other cocoons still incubating...

Attacus atlas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacus_atlas

Atlas Moth

Scientific classification:
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Family:Saturniidae
Genus:Attacus
Species:A. atlas

Binomial name
Attacus atlas
(Linnaeus, 1758)

The Atlas moth (Attacus atlas) is a large saturniid moth found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, and is common across the Malay archipelago.[1]

Atlas moths are considered the largest moths in the world[2] in terms of total wing surface area, reaching upwards of c. 400 cm2 (62 sq in). Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, reaching over 25 cm (10 in). Females are appreciably larger and heavier.

Atlas moths are said to be named after either the Titan of Greek mythology, or their map-like wing patterns. In Hong Kong the Cantonese name translates as "snake's head moth", referring to the apical extension of the forewing, which bears a more than passing resemblance to a snake's head.[3]

Japan only has the A. a. ryukyuensis subspecies which is native to the Yaeyama Islands, principally Yonaguni, and as such is called the Yonaguni-san (ヨナグニサン《与那国蚕》?, "Yonaguni silkworm"). It is said to be the inspiration for Mothra.[4]

The largest lepidopteran in terms of wingspan is thought to be the White Witch, Thysania agrippina. A record specimen of Attacus atlas from Java measured 262 mm, while Thysania are claimed to be about 270–280 mm (11 in). Based on some spread specimens and angle of wing, actual measurements of around 289 mm have been estimated.[5]

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.[6]

Atlas moth cocoons have been employed as purses in Taiwan.

Contents
1 Description
2 Similar taxa
3 Life cycle
3.1 Attraction
3.2 Larva
3.3 Pupa
4 Habitat
5 References
6 External links

Description

Atlas moths are predominantly tawny to maroon in color with roughly triangular, diaphanous "windows"[7] 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. J. Patrick Malone first pointed out that the Atlas moth is the only insect species to successfully mimic a predatory reptile as a means of defense, as demonstrated by the image of a snake at the upper most distal aspects of their wings.[8]

Such a large insect would typically represent excellent prey, but the image of one or two snakes waving back and forth, poised for a strike, likely dissuades many predators.[7]

The Atlas moth body is covered in a chitin-based hair, more properly called seta (pl. setae) and are stiff enough to be an irritant to skin and mucosal tissues of some animals.[7]

Their length is disproportionately short, compared to wing structure, but their stout middle and third segment, or mesothorax and metathorax respectively, provides the internal dimensions necessary for flight muscle attachment and coordination.[8]

Patterns and coloration vary among the many described subspecies. Male Atlas moths are distinguished from females by their smaller size, more tapered wings, and larger, bushier antennae.

As with other members of the family Saturniidae, neither gender possess fully formed mouth parts and adults therefore do not feed; throughout their 1–2-week adult life they survive entirely on larval fat reserves that they build up while they are caterpillars.[9]

Similar taxa

Rothschildia aurota, Neotropical relative of the Atlas moth
Close relatives and often mistaken for Atlas moths, members of the genus Rothschildia are the New World counterparts to the Old World genus Attacus.
Very similar in appearance, Rothschildia aurota is one of the largest members of its genus and a close Neotropical relative of the Asian Atlas moth.

Life cycle

Holometabolism

EggsCaterpillarPupaImago emerging from PupaFully Grown

Attraction

Females are sexually passive, releasing powerful pheromones which males detect and home in on with the help of chemoreceptors located on their large feathery antennae. Males may thus be attracted from several kilometres downwind.[10] Atlas moths are unsteady fliers, and the female does not stray far from the location of her discarded chrysalis: she seeks a perch where the air currents will best carry her pheromones.

Larva

Once mated, the female lays a number of spherical eggs 2.5 mm in diameter on the undersides of leaves. Dusty-green caterpillars hatch after about two weeks and feed voraciously on the foliage of certain citrus and other evergreen trees.[11] The caterpillars are adorned with fleshy spines along their backs which are covered in a waxy white substance.
Pupa[edit source

After reaching a length of about 115 millimetres (4.5 in), the caterpillars pupate within papery cocoon interwoven into desiccated leaves. The adult moths emerge after about four weeks.

Habitat on Mount Kinabalu
Habitat[edit source | editbeta]

The habitat is primary Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests and shrublands but secondary forest is also utilized
.
References

Stamp featuring atlas moth
^ Holloway, J.D. (1987). The Moths of Borneo, part 3: Lasiocampidae, Eupteroptidae,

Bombycidae, Brahmaeidae, Saturniidae, Sphingidae. Southdene Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur
^ Watson, A. & Whalley, P.E.S. (1983). The Dictionary of Butterflies and Moths in colour. Peerage Books, London, England. ISBN 0-907408-62-1

^ Yiu, V. (2006). Insecta Hongkongica. Hong Kong Discovery. Kowloon, Hong Kong. 655pp. ISBN 988-97173-9-5

^ Yoda, Hiroko (2013-01-14). "Okinawa: Which island is for you? | CNN Travel" . Travel.cnn.com. Retrieved 2013-06-08.

^ Hugo Kons, Jr. (1998-05-17). "Chapter 32 — Largest Lepidopteran Wing Span" . Book of Insect Records. University of Florida.

^ Jolly, M.S., Sen, S.K., Sonwalkar, T.N. & Prasad, G.S. (1979). Non-mulberry silks. Food & Agriculture Organisation. United Nations, Serv. Bull. 29. Rome. xvii + 178pp

^ a b c Malone, J. P. (2011). The Biology of Lepidopterans. Atlas moth presentation at the Oregon Zoo. www.oregonzoo.org/

^ a b Malone, J. P. (1996). The Biology of Attacus Atlas: The Direct Musculature of Lepidopteran Flight. Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Society, Western State College, Gunnison, Colorado.

^ Peigler, R. (1989). A revision of the Indo-Australian genus Attacus. The Lepidoptera Research Foundation, Inc., Beverly Hills, California, U.S.A. ISBN 9611465-2-7
^ Shepherd, G.M. (1994). "Chemical Senses". In Neurobiology 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press

^ Robinson, G.S., Ackery, P.R., Kitching, I.J., Beccaloni, G.W. & Hernández, L.M. (2001). Hostplants of the moth and butterfly caterpillars of the Oriental Region. Southdene Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur & The Natural History Museum, London. 744 pp. ISBN 983-40053-3-4

IMG_7741 - Version 2

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Taken on: July 27, 2013

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Temperature controlled hatching room

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atla

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tropical and subtropical forests

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Malay archipelago

Japan

Snake's Head Moth

Predators

predator avoidance

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Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T5i, f/4.0, 1/40 sec, 29mm, ISO 125 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS REBEL T5i
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Aperture:	f/4.0
Exposure Time:	0.025 sec (1/40)
Focal Length:	29mm
ISO:	125
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Flash:	Off, Did not fire
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