Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) lives in tropical and subtropical forest across Southeast Asia. It feeds on citrus tree leaves. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Atlas Moth
- Atlas moths stretch a wingspan of 250 mm to 300 mm, rivaling the size of a small dinner plate, and their wings cover about 160 cm², roughly the area of a sheet of A4 paper. Lab measurements show females reach 240-250 mm and males 210-230 mm, while body lengths stay under 4 cm, making the wings look gigantic on a tiny frame.
- Adult Atlas moths never eat, their tiny, vestigial proboscis can't pierce anything, so they live entirely on fat stored from the caterpillar stage. Each flight burns precious energy, shaving days off a life that lasts only one to two weeks, and most adults survive just a few days while searching for a mate.
- Male Atlas moths can sniff a single female's pheromone from several kilometres away, thanks to their huge feathery antennae packed with chemoreceptors. A female releases the scent from a gland at the end of her abdomen, then perches near discarded cocoons to let the wind carry the signal.
- Because Atlas moths need intact tropical and subtropical rainforests, secondary forests, and shrublands to complete their life cycle, they serve as a flagship for those ecosystems. Their dependence on a single tree for egg-laying, feeding, pupating and adult resting ties their fate to forest health. This makes the moth a charismatic ambassador for conservation campaigns aimed at preserving Southeast Asian forests.
- A single Atlas caterpillar passes through six instars that each last a specific number of days: 4-5, 8-10, 13-14, 10-11, 12-13 and finally 14-15 days. By the end of this schedule the larva can reach 11.5 cm long, a size that rivals a small ruler.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeSoutheast Asia
HabitatTropical and subtropical forest
DietCitrus tree leaves
About the Atlas Moth
In the velvety darkness of the tropical forest, the Atlas moth unfurls its majestic wings, a mesmerizing spectacle of earthy tones and delicate patterns, as it takes to the air with a slow, languid beat. As it glides through the moonlit understorey, its feathery antennae twitching with every subtle vibration, this leviathan of the insect world exudes an air of quiet confidence, its immense wingspan casting long, sinuous shadows on the forest floor. With a lifespan of mere weeks, the Atlas moth's brief, fiery existence is a testament to the fleeting beauty and unbridled wonder of the natural world.
Hear the Atlas Moth, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
More insects and spiders to discover
