MothOfTheDay

Attacus Atlas

Has a wingspan up to 12 inches

Found in Southeast Asian rainforests

Like other giant silk moths, they have no functional mouth parts and don't eat in their adult moth form, but only in their larva (caterpillar) stage

The tips of the top of their wings look like cobra's to scare predators away!

Known as the snake's head moth in Cantonese

Acraga coa

More famous for it's caterpillar form known as Jewel Caterpillars! When threatened, the gem-like coating comes off to stick and trap predators

Found in rainforests in Central America

It's moth form, I think, looks quite similar to a moth known as Yellow Furry Legs! (Yes, that's its actual name and trust me, there are way more funny moth names like The Confused Wood Grain)

Agrotis infusa

While pretty plain looking, these are actually very cool creatures! Like owls, bogong moths likely use quantum entanglement and cryptochrome proteins to sense the earth's magnetic field! This helps them navigate

Found in Australia

Known for migrating 1,000 km using the stars and night sky to navigate (this was proven in a really cool study)

They migrate to alpine regions, forming dense packs in cool caves, escape the heat of summer

Are also a key food for the endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum

Endoxyla cinereus

The world's heaviest moth, weighing up to 30g! This might not seem like much but it is in the realm of flying insects, especially moths

Found in Australia and New Zealand

They have a wingspan of about 9 inches

Most of their life is spent in their larva form (known as a witchetty grub which was/is a food source to indigenous Australians) inside of Eucalyptus trees and only life a few days as adult moths, making them rare to see

Females are about twice as large as males and can lay to over 100,000 eggs!

Southern Flannel Moth

Megalopyge opercularis

Yes, the first picture is actually a moth and not a plush toy!

Yes the second picture is actually a caterpillar and not a pile of fur! Commonly called the Puss Caterpillar

You guessed it, their eggs are fuzzy too!

The caterpillar's "fur" actually has hidden venomous spines that cause a really painful reaction to humans, so no touching!

Found in southeast United States

Emmelina monodactyla

Also known as the Common Plume, and (I've personally seen it) often referenced as the IUD moth, for obvious reasons. But it is in fact a moth, not flying birth control!

Found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America

Plume moths are often compared to fairies and have many species, as well as a variety called Many-plumed Moths with wings that look like fans!

This moth often rests with its wings collapsed as seen in the picture above (not collapsed wings shown below on the bottom right)

Have a lot of color variation ranging from white to to a rusty brown

Daphnis nerii

They feed on nectar from a number of fragrant flowers, usually around sunset!

The caterpillars feed on oleander (hence the name) which is typically a highly poisonous plant to other animals

Found in widespread areas of Africa, Asia, Hawaii and parts of Europe in the summer

Also known as the Army Green Moth

Sosxetra grata

Yes, this colorful furry creature is a moth! And one of the most stylish out of the cutworm moths and allies family (Noctuidae) - at least in my opinion!

Found in Latin America with sightings from Mexico all the way down to the state of Rio Grande Do Sul

Previously thought to be monotypic (meaning it's the only species in its genus) but some new research proposes a few species within its genus

Described by Francis Walker, hence the name Walker's Moth

Despite looking fuzzy, moth's wings are actually comprised of scales, and in this case, Walker's Moth's fur-like scales help with insulation to maintain temperature

Thysania agrippina

Has the largest wingspan of all moths and butterflies (and all living insects today), reaching up to 14 inches! But typically around 11-12 inches

Found in areas from Mexico to Uruguay and occasionally in Texas

The underside of its wings are a vivid blue which happens to be the rarest color in nature

Also known as the Ghost Moth, Great Gray Witch, or Great Owlet Moth

Despite having sightings dating back 300 years, its caterpillar form wasn't discovered until 2025!

The "Witch" part of their name comes from naturalists attempting to shoot them down, but finding it hard to succeed in even hitting them making it seem like an unkillable witch (allegedly)

Gorgone macarea

Known from drinking tears from sleeping birds, aka lachryphagy, which allows them to fulfill their nutritional need of salt

Other moth species have been found to have this same behavior, one video even catches moths drinking moose tears!

Found in the Amazon rainforest

They use their probiscis to pierce the eyelid, or slide it in between for access

Don't worry, this doesn't harm the birds!

This unique behavior has limited documentation in moths, but still very cool!

Graellsia isabellae

Lives in high altitude pine forests in Spain and France

Part of the "Moon Moths" (genus Actius), one the most well known of these is the Luna Moth

Originated during the Ice Age or even before!!! (isn't that so cool?) Because of climate changes, they reside now several isolated population in the Alps and Pyrenees as the habitat conditions have remained stable

Exclusively eat pine needles as caterpillars, and like most other silk moths, don't eat as adults

There's a hybrid species of this moth and the Indian moon moth (that is also gorgeous ofc)

Also known as the Stained Glass moth because of it's beautiful pattern

Like several other moths, their beautiful tails actually serve a really cool purpose!!! Known as sonar jamming, their twisting movement in flight interferes with bats echolocation so their body can remain undetected to escape hunting bats