Nature & Environment

World's largest moth spotted in the US for the first time

By T.K. Randall
August 21, 2022 ·  5 comments

This is one huge moth. Image Credit: Washington State Department of Agriculture Most moths tend to be quite small - even smaller than butterflies - but there also exist species of moth that can grow to gargantuan sizes and the largest of them all is the atlas moth.

Native to the warm tropical forests of South-East Asia, the species can also be found in zoos, botanical gardens and private collections across the world.

Finding one in the wild outside of its natural habitat, however, is a rare thing indeed.This recent specimen, which was reported by a professor from the University of Washington, was spotted sitting on the wall of a building in Bellevue back on July 7th.

According to the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Investigation Service, it is indeed an atlas moth and this is believed to be the first confirmed sighting of the species on American soil.

Entomologists are now asking members of the public to keep a look out for any more of them.

There's no need to worry, however, as the moths are completely harmless to humans.


Source: USA Today | Comments (5)

Tags: Moth