Giant Atlas Moth (Saturnidae Saturniinae Attacus atlas)
The female below was captured in Thailand. The eggs and pupa are also from a Thailand specimen.  The male moth is the adult of the caterpillar pictured here.  The larva was found feeding on Ilex asprella, at the Kadoorie Research Center, Dai Mo Shan, New Territories, Hong Kong on May 23, 1999.  In May 2000, ova were collected from a female that had come to light at Tai Lung Experimental Farm in Fan Ling, New Territories.  Larvae were subsequently fed Schefflera octophylla.


The ova were 2.7 mm / 0.11 inch in diameter.


Mature, 3rd  instar larva from Tai Lung Experimental Farm.
The larva was 2.3 cm / 0.9 inch long.
May 17, 2000.


These two 4th instar larvae were from ova laid at Tai Lung.
The larvae were about 2.5 cm / 1 inch long.
May 18, 2000.


 This nearly mature larvae from Tai Lung was 3 cm / 1.2 inches long.


The mature larva was 52 cm / 2.1 inches long.


The dark brown pupa is formed inside a heavy silk cocoon.
Attacus atlas - female top
Top side of moth.
Wingspan for this female specimen is  27 cm / 8.1 inches.
Underside of moth.

Attacus atlas - male top
Top side of moth.
Wingspan for this male specimen is 15 cm / 6 inches.
The moth emerged from pupa on July 29, 1999.
Underside of moth.

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This page last updated 6-Sep-2000.