Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: largest moth in the world

I heard that question from almost every person who spotted this enormous Atlas Moth. It was hanging from a plant that was growing in the small pond in the butterfly room at the Calgary Zoo when I went there on 6 October 2012. Unfortunately, it was surrounded by these fine leaves, so I couldn't get a good photo of it from any angle. I always find the snake-like wing tips fascinating. "Atlas moths are considered the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area (upwards of c. 400 cm, 62 sq in). Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, reaching over 25 cm (10 in). Females are appreciably larger and heavier." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacus_atlas

These huge Atlas Moths always amaze me. I don't get to see one very often - at the Calgary Zoo - and they are often on a messy background, which is OK for a macro shot The antennae are quite amazing, I think. Taken on 8th September 2011. "The Atlas moth (Attacus atlas) is a large saturniid moth found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, and common across the Malay archipelago. Atlas moths are considered the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area [upwards of c. 400 cm2 (62 sq in)]. Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, reaching over 25 cm (10 in). Females are appreciably larger and heavier. Atlas moths are said to be named after either the Titan of Greek mythology, or their map-like wing patterns. In Hong Kong the Cantonese name translates as "snake's head moth", referring to apical extension of the forewing, which bears a passing resemblance to a snake's head." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacus_atlas