Atlas Moth

[Sinobug]

These are images of my home-raised Atlas or Giant Silkworm Moths (Attacus atlas, Saturniidae). Photos were taken in a light box with three fluorescent studio lights against a black backdrop. I had two caterpillars collected from the wild as second-to-last instars and they fortunately emerged as a male and female, making gross comparisons possible.....

Seventy-three days pre-eclosure
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6047/6211638314_0b5e30229f.jpg
Final instar seventeen days later. Pupated ten days later. Pupation period 7 weeks.
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6169/6240462064_d0a3488318.jpg

Male Atlas moths are distinguished from females by their smaller size, more tapered wings, and larger, bushier antennae.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6557026555_738350d4db.jpg
Male Atlas Moth (Attacus Atlas), wingspan (as pictured): 21cm.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6486669193_29324286d8.jpg
Female Atlas Moth (Attacus Atlas), wingspan (as pictured): 18cm.

[Angiud]

Wow John, very cool. I saw the Atlas only once (in the wild)

[Sinobug]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6486658335_bb3eda531a.jpg
Female Underwing

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6557030953_8de70fd959.jpg
Male Underwing

[Sinobug]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6486647723_25c01ed064.jpg
Female Atlas Moth (Attacus Atlas)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6556983109_fc02f26ab5_z.jpg
Male Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas)