Atlas Moth
by Charlie Ross
Title
Atlas Moth
Artist
Charlie Ross
Medium
Mixed Media
Description
This is my homage to the great Piet Mondrian.
Attacus atlas (Atlas moth) is a large saturniid moth endemic to the forests of Asia.
Atlas moths are one of the largest lepidopterans in the world with a wingspan measuring between 25–30 cm (9.8–11.8 in) and an wing surface area of about 400 cm2 (62 in2). Females are noticeably larger and heavier than males, while males have broader antennae.
The body is disproportionately small compared to the wings. The upper side of the wings are reddish-brown with a pattern of black, white, pink, and purple lines and triangular, scale-less windows bordered in black. The underside of the wings are paler. Both forewings have a prominent extension at the top.
Their habitat is primarily dry rainforests, secondary forests, and shrublands across South, East, and Southeast Asia, including the Malay Archipelago.
Atlas moths are named after either the Titan of Greek mythology (due to their size) or possibly their map-like wing patterns.
In Hong Kong, the Cantonese name translates as "snake's head moth," referring to the prominent extension of the fore-wing which bears resemblance to the head of a snake.
Uploaded
April 9th, 2018
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