| Length: | Long: 4-5 cm. Wide: 1.5-2 cm. Spread wings: 25-30 cm. |
| Life cycle: | Mature: 1- 2 week |
Atlas Moth
Saturniidae
Description:
With 400 cm2 (65 square inches), the Atlas Moth has the largest wing surface area of all moths. Its wingspan is also amongst the largest, varying from 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches). Atlas moths are said to be named after the Titan of Greek mythology Atlas, who ‘held up the sky’. Or maybe it is the fact that their wings have maplike patterns?
Did you know...?
… that Atlas moths never eat? Neither male nor female Atlas moths have a fullyformed mouth meaning they can’t take in food. The whole 1 to 2 weeks they spend as adults they survive entirely on fat reserves which they built up while still being caterpillars.
