Atlas Moth
Attacus atlas
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumArthropoda (Arthropods)
- ClassInsecta (Insects)
- OrderLepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- FamilySaturniidae (Emperor and Giant Silk Moths)
- GenusAttacus
- SpeciesAttacus atlas (Atlas Moth)
In 3 days ~40% in a week ~70%
About the Atlas Moth
Attacus atlas, the Atlas moth, is a large saturniid moth endemic to the forests of Asia. The species was described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. The Atlas moth is one of the largest lepidopterans, with a wingspan often measuring from 250mm to 300mm. and a wing surface area of about 160 cm2 (25 in2). It is only surpassed in wingspan by the white witch (Thysania agrippina) and Attacus caesar, and in wing surface area by the Hercules moth (Coscinocera hercules). As in most silk moths, females are noticeably larger and heavier than males, while males have broader antennae.
Atlas moths are named after Atlas, the Titan of Greek mythology (due to their size). The Cantonese name translates to "snake's head moth", referring to the prominent extension of the forewing that resembles the head of a snake.
Atlas moths lay a number of spherical eggs, 2.5 mm (0.098 in) in diameter, on the undersides of the leaves of food plants. After approximately two weeks, dusty-green caterpillars hatch and feed on their egg-shell, and then the foliage of citrus, cinnamon, guava, and evergreen trees. The caterpillars can grow... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Atlas Moth in Jakarta
LIVEiNaturalistGlobal Distribution
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kinabalu Park | 🇲🇾 Malaysia | |
| 2 | Kaeng Krachan National Park | 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Cities Where Found
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tasikmalaya | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 2 | Yogyakarta | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 3 | Jakarta | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 4 | Kuala Lumpur | 🇲🇾 Malaysia | |
| 5 | Denpasar | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 6 | Bandung | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 7 | Singapore | 🇸🇬 Singapore | |
| 8 | Taipei | 🇹🇼 Taiwan | |
| 9 | Hong Kong | 🇨🇳 China |
Closest Relatives at Jakarta
Before you go
What are the chances of seeing an Atlas Moth in Jakarta?
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report an Atlas Moth sighting in Jakarta on a given day, based on 25 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 52nd most-seen of the 239 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 40%, and over a week to about 70%, if each day is a fresh chance.
When is the best time to see an Atlas Moth in Jakarta?
February–April, October and December
In those months about 20% of wildlife watchers report an Atlas Moth in Jakarta on a given day, against about 10% in January, May–September and November, the lowest months.
What time of day is best to see an Atlas Moth?
Between 6 and 9 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Atlas Moth sightings with a recorded time, and about half of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is most active around dawn and dusk.
Is Jakarta the best place to see an Atlas Moth?
3rd of 9
Of the 9 cities where we can rate Atlas Moth sightings, Jakarta ranks 3rd at about 10%. The best odds are in Tasikmalaya (Indonesia, about 20%) and Yogyakarta (Indonesia, about 20%).
Where does the Atlas Moth sighting chance come from?
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Atlas Moth is recorded against all the insects logged in Jakarta (25 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

