The Atlas Moth: Largest Moth In The World (Beautiful Pics)

Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor

Apr 27, 2021 12:00 PM EDT

Meet the largest lepidopterans in the world - the Atlas moth. To be honest, we're not really insect people, but this might be one of the most beautiful insects we've ever seen. It takes its honorary place for us right next to the Sphaerocoris annulus that looks like an actual Picaso painting and these stunning and beautiful colorful mantises.

Insects such as the Atlas moth are the best way to show people that nature - even when you might think that it's a but scary and eww-y - is actually beautiful. And the Atlas moth is an extra special beauty because of its gentle giant qualities. Keep reading to find out more about this incredible insect, and be amazed by how awesome nature really is.

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via Joyika

Yeah, these guys truly are big. They have a wingspan of up to 27 centimeters (over 10.5 inches!), and even their caterpillars are huge, reaching up to 12 centimeters long (1.7 inches). But! Don't run yet. Even though they are massive, the Atlas moths are the most gentle of them all, seeing that they do not feed at all once they have merged from their cocoon.
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via MikeSilver

That's definitely one of our favorite facts about them. Their proboscis, being as tiny as it is, does not allow them to feed. That means that they only have between 1-2 weeks of life in total, during which they rest when it's day and look for mates when it's night. So, really, you don't have to worry about coming across one of these guys. Just admire their beauty if you do.
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via aap71
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via Conocoryphe
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via Ramp8nt
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via remvan
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via remvan
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via u/amitmalewar
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via u/Mass1m01973
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via u/cosmicwhiplash_
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via u/SouthpawKristen
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via u/kuyawil77

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