Caterpillars of the
World - Singapore
Giant Atlas moth
Attacus atlas
LINNAEUS, 1758
Family -
SATURNIIDAE
subfamily -
SATURNIINAE
Tribe -
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult
|
 |
|
Attacus atlas,
Singapore
( photo
courtesy Gan
Cheong Weei
©
2008 ) |
Introduction
Attacus atlas is found as various
subspecies from India and Sri Lanka eastward to China, and across
the islands of south-east Asia to Java.
There are 2 other
Attacus species - wardi from
Australia, and aurantiacus from Papua
New Guinea. The Himalayan species edwardsii,
and the Malaysian species staudingeri
which were formerly included in Attacus
are now placed in the genus Archaeoattacus.
Habitats
This
species is
found in primary and disturbed tropical rainforest habitats at
altitudes between sea level and about 1500m.
Lifecycle
The plump larvae of
the Giant Atlas moth are huge, growing to almost 5
inches ( 120cm ). They feed on a variety of plants including
Annona ( Annonaceae )
Citrus ( Rutaceae ),
Cinnamomum
( Lauraceae ), Guava
( Myrtaceae ) and
Nephelium ( Sapindaceae ), often moving
from one plant species to another in the course of their
development.
Adult
The Giant Atlas is
generally recognised as being the largest moth
in the world,
having a wing area of about 400 sq cms ( 65 sq inches ). It can
measure up to 30 cms across the wings, but is beaten in terms of
sheer wingspan by a South American moth Thysania
agrippina which measures up to 32cms across the wings,
although it has a significantly smaller wing area than
Attacus atlas.
Despite their huge size and bright colours
Atlas moths are remarkably difficult to find in the wild. The
disruptive pattern breaks up the moth's outline into irregular
shapes which blend well amongst a mix of living and dead foliage.
If disturbed from rest the moth employs an unusual form of defence
- it simply drops to the ground and slowly fans the wings. As the
wings move, the "snake's head" lobe at the apex of the forewing
oscillates. This is thought to be a threat gesture, and probably
deters predators who "see" a snake instead of a moth.
|
 |
|
Attacus atlas,
Singapore
( photo
courtesy Gan
Cheong Weei
©
2008 ) |
|
|
|
|
|
