Gigantic and rare moth, Attacus atlas, commonly called ‘Atlas Moth’ was a spectacular visitor at MSSBG campus this week. It is generally considered the largest moth species in the entire world. The student community and the nature enthusiasts were excited to find the moth during their specific educational recreation programme at MSSBG. It’s rare to find an Atlas Moth due to its tough life cycle and steep struggle for survival in nature. The availability of a mate in the open forests is rare too. It is inactive during the day and it can even step on to your hand without any hesitation but during night they will fly in search of its mate and to lay eggs. It is with the largest wing-span of 25-30 cm in the Lepidoptera group of insects. The wings are fragile, reddish brown with pink, white and blackish brown pattern with protruding apical edges. The body is disproportionately small compared to the wings. Adults of Atlas moth have their mouth parts stunted hence they live just for about two weeks. The females release pheromones, which can be detected by males from kilometre away with the chemosensor on their feathery antennae. The egg will be laid under the leaves of the food plant. The caterpillar feed voraciously on the foliage of certain citrus and other evergreen trees. The moth can be found throughout the year but abundantly during November to January. Robust silk of the cocoon of the Atlas Moth is used in India and known as Fagara silk.
Information & Editing: Dr. Smitha S. Thankappan; Approval: Dr. N Anil Kumar
Reference: “Atlas Moth Attacus atlas”. World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Retrieved 2018-04-05., www.waza.org