Giant Mariposa - Atlas moth (Attacus atlas)
Mariposa is the Spanish word for Butterfly. Yesterday I saw one of this I take some pictures and video.
In this blog post is Attacus atlas its not real butterfly, The Atlas moth (Attacus atlas) is a large saturniid moth found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, and is common across the Malay archipelago.Atlas moths were often considered the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area.
Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, reaching over 25 cm (9.8 in). Females are appreciably larger and heavier than the males.Atlas moths are said to be named after either the Titan of Greek mythology, or their map-like wing patterns.
Attraction
Females are sexually passive, releasing powerful pheromones which males detect and home in on with the help of chemoreceptors located on their large feathery antennae. Males may thus be attracted from several kilometres downwind.[10] Atlas moths are unsteady fliers, and the female does not stray far from the location of her discarded chrysalis: she seeks a perch where the air currents will best carry her pheromones.
Larva
Once mated, the female lays a number of spherical eggs 2.5 mm in diameter on the undersides of leaves. Dusty-green caterpillars hatch after about two weeks and feed voraciously on the foliage of certain citrus and other evergreen trees. The caterpillars are adorned with fleshy spines along their backs which are covered in a waxy white substance. The energy stored on this stage will be use for adult stage.
Pupa
After reaching a length of about 115 millimetres (4.5 in), the caterpillars pupate within a papery cocoon interwoven into desiccated leaves. The adult moths emerge after about four weeks.
Adult
Adult Atlas moths do not have mouths, and as such only live for a few days as adults. Yes they don't Eat they use the energy from Larva stage they last upto 3 days only!
Habitat
Habitat on Mount Kinabalu
The habitat is primary tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests and shrublands but secondary forest is also utilised.
Watch my video :
In this blog post is Attacus atlas its not real butterfly, The Atlas moth (Attacus atlas) is a large saturniid moth found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, and is common across the Malay archipelago.Atlas moths were often considered the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area.
Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, reaching over 25 cm (9.8 in). Females are appreciably larger and heavier than the males.Atlas moths are said to be named after either the Titan of Greek mythology, or their map-like wing patterns.
Attraction
Females are sexually passive, releasing powerful pheromones which males detect and home in on with the help of chemoreceptors located on their large feathery antennae. Males may thus be attracted from several kilometres downwind.[10] Atlas moths are unsteady fliers, and the female does not stray far from the location of her discarded chrysalis: she seeks a perch where the air currents will best carry her pheromones.
Mariposa - Atlas moth Life cycle
Larva
Once mated, the female lays a number of spherical eggs 2.5 mm in diameter on the undersides of leaves. Dusty-green caterpillars hatch after about two weeks and feed voraciously on the foliage of certain citrus and other evergreen trees. The caterpillars are adorned with fleshy spines along their backs which are covered in a waxy white substance. The energy stored on this stage will be use for adult stage.
Pupa
After reaching a length of about 115 millimetres (4.5 in), the caterpillars pupate within a papery cocoon interwoven into desiccated leaves. The adult moths emerge after about four weeks.
Adult
Adult Atlas moths do not have mouths, and as such only live for a few days as adults. Yes they don't Eat they use the energy from Larva stage they last upto 3 days only!
Habitat
Habitat on Mount Kinabalu
The habitat is primary tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests and shrublands but secondary forest is also utilised.
Watch my video :
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