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Hercules moth

Coscinocera sp.

Photo by Scott Frazier
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

This is a male Hercules moth, which are among the largest and most showy moths in the world. They possess very prominent tails on their hindwings. They have have a reduced or missing proboscis, and thus, are unable to take up food. During its short life-span the moth depends entirely on the fat reserves which were stored during the larval stages. This is a reason why they have quite voluminous bodies. In many species a pronounced sexual dimorphism occurs: males always have pectinate, "feathered" antennae while those of the females are thinner and sometimes without pectination. Females are mostly larger, have more rounded wings, and a larger abdomen, containing the already developed eggs.

Habitat:

Found on a house porch, in a village.

Notes:

This Hercules moth showed up at the house overnight, presumably attracted to a porch light.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)

What a Beauty! Lovely find!

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