'Attacus atlas' or the Atlas moth, is a large saturniid moth endemic to the forests of Asia. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of "Systema Nature.

One of the largest 'lepidopterans', with a wingspan measuring up to 24 cm (9.4 in) and a wing surface area of about 160 cm (25 in). It is only surpassed in wingspan by the Wqhite witch ('Thysania agrippina').

As in most 'Lepidoptera', females are noticeably larger and heavier than males, while males have broader antennae. The body is disproportionately small compared to the wings. The upperside 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 undersides of the wings are paler. Both forewings have a prominent extension at the tip, with markings that resemble the head of a snake, a resemblance which is exaggerated by movements of the wings when the moth is confronted by potential predators.

It has a very short, vestigial proboscis, and they do not eat once they have emerged from the cocoon, relying on fat storage for energy. Every flight takes valuable energy and can take days off their already short lives, as it has a very short life span of only one to two weeks.

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More Info: en.m.wikipedia.org