Life history of an ATLAS MOTH (Attacus traprobanis) (5960210928)

Description:

Summary[edit] Description: Attacus atlas or ATLAS MOTH has the largest wing area for any moth/butterfly found in Southeast Asia It is a regular attraction to the print media in Kerala though it is not uncommon here,I have seen tens of caterpillars clinging under the cardomom leaves in the eastern hills of Kozhikode district in dec january months and farmers consider it as a dangerous pest the caterpillars feed on a variety of plant leaves I fed the caterpillar with guava leaf the transparent spots on the four wings are amazing the adult becomes very active in the midnight when it starts flying like a bat! the adult moth never feeds as it has no mouth! the fat stored is sufficient to survive during the short life which could be anything lessthan two weeks the caterpillars are verocious eaters,feeding 6-8 guava leaves per day the cocoon vibrates at high frequency for some time when disturbed thanx to shubha(mothlady)for the correctID. Date: 18 July 2011, 14:33. Source: Life history of an ATLAS MOTH (Attacus traprobanis). Author: Balakrishnan Valappil.