Attacus Atlas Moth

5x7 Watercolor on Panel

This moth is the largest of the lepidopterans and is endemic to the forests of Asia. Its wingspan is impressive at rough 10 inches, which is one of the largest moths in the world. That also meansthis painting smaller than the moth in real life, which is insane to me! One last fun fact in silk moths, such at this, the females are larger and more robust than the males!

"Atlas moths are perhaps most famous for the markings on the upper corner of their wings, which bear an uncanny resemblance to cobra heads (in profile). While not all entomologists are convinced of that visual mimicry, there is some convincing evidence. Cobras live in the same part of the world as these moths, and the moth’s main predators—birds and lizards—are visual hunters. Plus, species related to the Atlas moth have similar but less defined versions of the snake’s head, showing a pattern that could have been fine-tuned by natural selection.

In addition to the markings, the wings of the Atlas moth contain translucent areas that may function as “eyespots.” These false eyes could not only startle predators, but could also divert attention from more vulnerable parts of the moth’s body. If, say, a particularly stubborn predator decides to attack the eyespots, damage to the wings would not be as catastrophic as damage to the moth’s head or body. In the bird-eat-bug world, a little ruse can mean the difference between life and death."- https://www.calacademy.org/explore-science/atlas-moth