Atlas Moth, Selangor, Malaysia

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With a wingspan of approximately 8 inches, the Atlas Moth (attacus atlas) is the largest moth in the world. These moths live in the Asian tropics in habitats ranging from lowland to upper mountain forests. The one shown here is a female. Males have "tails" on their wings like those of a swallow-tail butterfly. The markings on the end of each wing resemble snake heads. The shading and coloration give them a remarkable three-dimensional appearance. These markings are effective at scaring off predators such as birds and lizards.