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Hercules moth
Coscinocera sp.
-1.8931, 138.766
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.
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