The atlas moth is the world's largest moth in terms of total wing surface area, and being able to take these photos must surely be the highlight of my journey here on 365! XD
Do you remember Mr Big:
http://365project.org/myautofocuslife/365/2012-08-20
I returned to the location (in the mangrove forest) where I had spotted the caterpillar, hoping to be able to see the adult. To my elation and shock (because I wasn't all that hopeful), I saw not one but two adult atlas moths, mating right in the bush where I had last seen the caterpillar. It was all I could do not to scream and dance with joy. This is my first sighting of the atlas moth. 8D
I hope you can see the moths clearly. I must apologize for the shots. They were in the middle of a bush and there were lots of branches in the way. I hopped off the boardwalk to take the main shot.
Top, main shot: The two moths. The smaller one (towards the back) is half the size of the bigger moth, which is the female moth. The wing span of the female moth was at least 25cm (10in) across.
Bottom, left: A close-up of the attractive pattern on the abdomen of the female moth. Bottom, middle: You can see how the moths are joined together end to end at their abdomens. The smaller male is on the left. You can see how big the female is by comparison because the entire length of the male moth's body from head to end of abdomen is still shorter than the female moth's abdominal length! Bottom, right: A close-up shot of the female moth's head. The feathery, yellow antennae are beautiful.
Atlas moths do not have mouth parts, and so they do not feed for the length of their adult life which lasts 1-2 weeks. They live off the fat reserves they have built up while they were eating voraciously as caterpillars.
Another interesting point of note are the patterns at the upper tips of the moth's wings. They resemble snake heads.
I believe the female moth was actually clinging on to the pupa it had emerged from. It was brown, with a texture like thick paper.
Even now, when I look at these shots, I feel ridiculously happy that I was lucky enough to have come across these gorgeous moths. I hope you enjoy seeing them too! 8D
Thank you for you so nice lines and great support