Taipei Zoo

The Insectarium at Taipei Zoo has welcomed a spectacular midsummer surprise, as several Atlas moths have recently emerged in the Butterfly Greenhouse on the second floor. These impressive moths are known for their enormous reddish-brown wings, with their most distinctive feature being the snake head-like markings at the tips of their forewings. This remarkable form of mimicry helps deter potential predators. These "gentle giants" can be seen throughout July and August, so visitors are encouraged to take this seasonal opportunity to observe them while they are on display.

Belonging to the family Saturniidae, the Atlas moth is one of the world's largest moths in terms of wing surface area, with adults reaching a wingspan of 20 to 30 centimeters. It is widely distributed across eastern Asia, including the low-elevation foothills of Taiwan. Like all moths, the Atlas moth passes through four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. At Taipei Zoo, the caterpillars are primarily fed plants such as Common Schefflera, guava leaves, and Autumn Maple leave. The bright green larvae are distinctive in appearance, with fleshy projections coated in a white waxy substance along their backs. After molting through six larval instars, they spin cocoons and pupate, cleverly wrapping leaves from their host plants around the outside so the cocoon resembles a curled dead leaf. The pupal stage usually lasts one to two months, but some individuals remain as pupae throughout the winter. In fact, among the Atlas moths that recently emerged at the Insectarium were individuals that had pupated more than six months ago.

Once Atlas moths emerge as adults, their mouthparts have already degenerated, leaving them unable to feed. As a result, they survive for only one to two weeks. During this brief stage of life, their sole purpose is reproduction. Male moths use their highly sensitive antennae to detect the pheromones released by females, allowing them to locate a mate and reproduce. For these short-lived adults, this is the most important task of their lives.

The Butterfly Greenhouse and caterpillar exhibits at Taipei Zoo's Insectarium showcase the remarkable diversity of insect life. Some species, such as the Paper Kite Butterfly and the Oakleaf Butterfly, breed continuously and can be observed throughout the year, displaying different behaviors as the seasons change. In contrast, members of the Saturniidae family, including the Atlas moth, have a much more seasonal life cycle. Depending on when visitors come, they may encounter different stages of the moth's development. If you are interested in observing these remarkable insects, now is an excellent time to visit.