Atlas moth

Attacus atlas is a large Asian silk moth in Saturniidae. [2]

The brown forewings have an extended, downward-curving apex. Angular orange-brown, white and black lines enclose the basal region, while a dark-edged pale triangular patch occupies the middle of the wing. Dark streaks and a reddish-brown mark accent the projecting tip. [2]

The native range includes China, India, Malaysia and Indonesia. In Singapore, larvae also occur on cultivated trees in urban neighbourhoods. [1][3]

Larvae feed on trees including cinnamon, citrus and guava. Privet was used to rear them in the Natural History Museum’s butterfly house. The adult proboscis is reduced and nonfunctional; adults rely on stored larval reserves. [1]

Adults rest through much of the day and seek mates at night. [1]

The larva spins its cocoon from strong brown silk. The fibre is known as fagara. [1]

At Yishun Ring Road in January 2017, numerous larvae occupied a sentul tree, Sandoricum koetjape, that had apparently been stripped of foliage. Cocoons remained on the tree, while other larvae moved along its trunk and branches or across the ground. [3]