Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Attacus atlas

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

Photographed in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo yesterday afternoon, 21 August 2012. There was a rack with a number of pupa hanging from it and a couple of these emerged Atlas Moths. They are incredible, huge Moths, but I never seem to get a photo of one that I am happy with, ha. Always fascinated by their amazing antennae and their unusual legs. "Atlas moths are considered to be the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area (upwards of c. 400 square cm or 65 square inches). Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, from 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). Females are appreciably larger and heavier .... 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" 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

Taken in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo. The netting is definitely not my favourite setting, but you take what you can get - it was this or nothing : ) Note that their wingspan is 10-12 inches! "Atlas moths are considered to be the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area (upwards of c. 400 square cm or 65 square inches). Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, from 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). Females are appreciably larger and heavier .... 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" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacus_atlas

This huge Atlas Moth had chosen to land and stay put on this tangled mass of "hairs", which didn't make for a good photo. However, thought I'd post it in case I don't happen to visit the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo when there is another of these beauties on display. "Atlas moths are considered to be the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area (upwards of c. 400 square cm or 65 square inches). Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, from 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). Females are appreciably larger and heavier .... 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" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacus_atlas