Attacus atlas
415413
210901615
2008-05-07T22:15:37Z
76.123.57.33
{{Taxobox
| name = Atlas Moth
| image = atlas moth female.jpg
| image_width = 275px
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
| class = [[Insect]]a
| ordo = [[Lepidoptera]]
| familia = [[Saturniidae]]
| genus = ''[[Attacus]]''
| species = '''''A. atlas'''''
| binomial = ''Attacus atlas''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]])
}}
The '''Atlas moth''' (''Attacus atlas'') is a large [[saturniidae|saturniid]] moth found in the tropical and subtropical forests of [[Southeast Asia]], southern [[China]], common across the [[Malay archipelago]], Thailand to [[Indonesia]].<ref>Holloway, J.D. (1987). The Moths of Borneo, part 3: Lasiocampidae, Eupteroptidae, Bombycidae, Brahmaeidae, Saturniidae, Sphingidae. Southdene Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur</ref> 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''.<ref>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</ref> Atlas moth [[cocoon (silk)|cocoon]]s have been employed as purses in [[Taiwan]].
Atlas moths are considered to be the largest moths in the world<ref>Watson, A. & Whalley, P.E.S. (1983). The Dictionary of Butterflies and Moths in colour. Peerage Books, London, England. ISBN 0-907408-62-1</ref> in terms of total wing surface area (upwards of c. 400 square cm or 65 square inches). Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, from 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). Females are appreciably larger and heavier. (The largest [[lepidoptera]]n in terms of wingspan is thought to be the [[White Witch (moth)|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 or 11 inches. Based on some spread specimens and angle of wing, actual measurements of around 289 mm have been estimated.<ref name=ufrecord>Walker, T.J., ed. 2001. University of Florida Book of Insect Records, 2001. [http://ufbir.ifas.ufl.edu/chap32.htm Lepidopteran size records]</ref>) Atlas moths are said to be named after either the [[Atlas (mythology)|Titan]] of [[Greek mythology]], or their map-like wing patterns. In [[Hong Kong]] the [[Cantonese (linguistics)|Cantonese]] name translates as "snake's head moth", referring to apical extension of the forewing, which bears a passing resemblance to a snake's head.<ref>Yiu, V. (2006). Insecta Hongkongica. Hong Kong Discovery. Kowloon, Hong Kong. 655pp. ISBN 988-97173-9-5</ref>
Atlas moths are predominantly tawny to maroon in colour with roughly triangular, diaphanous "eyes" 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. Their bodies are hairy and disproportionately small compared to their wings. Patterns and colouration vary among the many described [[subspecies]]. Male Atlas moths are distinguished from females by their smaller size, more tapered wings, and larger, bushier [[antenna (biology)|antenna]]e. Neither sex possess fully-formed mouthparts and 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.<ref>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</ref>
Females are sexually passive, releasing powerful [[pheromone]]s which males detect and hone in on with the help of [[chemoreceptor]]s located on their large feathery antennae. Males may thus be attracted from several kilometres downwind.<ref>Shepherd, G.M. (1994). Chemical Senses. In "Neurobiology" 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press</ref> Atlas moths are unsteady fliers and the female does not stray far from the location of her discarded [[Pupa#Chrysalis|chrysalis]]: she seeks a perch where the air currents will best carry her pheromones.
Once mated the female lays a number of spherical eggs 2.5 mm in diameter on the undersides of leaves. Dusty-green [[caterpillar]]s hatch after about two weeks and feed voraciously on the foliage of certain [[citrus]] and other [[evergreen]] trees.<ref>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</ref> The caterpillars are adorned with fleshy spines along their backs which are covered in a waxy white substance. After reaching a length of about 115 mm (4.5 inches), the caterpillars [[pupa]]te within papery cocoon interwoven into desiccated leaves. The adult moths emerge after about four weeks.
==Additional photos==
<gallery>
Image:Atlas Moth EGGS.jpg|Atlas Moth Eggs
Image:Atlas Moth Caterpillars.jpg|First and second instar cats
Image:Atlas Moth FULL CATT1.jpg|Full Caterpillar
image:Atlasspinner-01.jpg|Caterpillar
Image:ATLAS MOTH DURING MOLT.jpg|During Moulting Process
Image:Attacus atlas cat.jpg|Caterpillar
Image:EMEMRGING MOTH.jpg|Adult emerging from Pupa
Image:Atlas Moth EMERGING.jpg|Adult emerging from Pupa
image:Atlasspinner.jpg|[[Imago]]
image:Attacus_atlas.jpg|Adult from the [[Western Ghats]]
Image:London_Zoo_Atlas_Moth.jpg|Adult bred in [[London Zoo]]'s Butterfly House
Image:Attacus atlas1.jpg
Image:Atlas_Moth_at_Outram_Park_MRT.jpg|Atlas Moth in Singapore
Image:Atlas_moth.JPG
Image:Adult Atlas Moths.jpg|Atlas Moth Adults
</gallery>
==References==
{{reflist}}
<!--Guinness Book of records - cite if used-->
==External links ==
{{commons|Attacus atlas}}
*[http://cirrusimage.com/Moths_Atlas.htm Large Format Reference Photos - Live Captive Atlas Moths]
*[http://www.butterflies.be Mario's Butterfly Village]
*[http://allsands.com/Science/Animals/atlasmoth_vgg_gn.htm PageWise: The atlas moth]
*[http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/inverts/atlas_moth.htm Atlas Moth fact sheet]
[[Category:Attacus]]
[[Category:Butterflies and moths of Asia]]
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