Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas)
Pricing: Dead (spread, as pictured): Male: $45 & Female: $65
Geographic Range: India to Indonesia
View: Top View Sex: Male (top) & Female (bottom)
Size: Wingspan: 15-30cm (females are larger)
Image Copyright 2003
Barbara Strnadova
The Atlas moth ranks as one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan of almost twelve inches (30 cm). Attacus atlas is found throughout southeast Asia, flying in: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, Laos, Thailand, southern China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, Philippines, Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Malaysia, Greater Sunda Islands, Moluccas, etc. all the way to Papua New Guinea. In many places, it is farmed for the insect trade. Several subspecies have been described throughout its range, such as A. atlas formosanus, A. atlas ryukyuensis and A. atlas silhetica. Larvae feed on a wide variety of plants in the wild. In captivity, Ailanthus, lilac (Syringa vulgaris) and privet (Litchi chinensis) are readily accepted.