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Coscinocera Hercules

(Hercules moth, Atlas moth)

FAMILY	Saturniidae
Species	Coscinocera hercules
Common name	Hercules moth, Atlas moth
Main colour	Brown
Size	Wingspan in males to 20cm, females to 27 cm
Campus	Cairns

Description

This female Hercules moth has the largest wingspan of any moth. The wings are brown with a white irregular stripe down each wing and several transparent windows. In the male the hindwing is stretched out to form a long tail. Often seen resting on trees or buildings near rainforest. Larvae are pale-blue with rows of yellow spikes and there are some eyespots on each side. Feed on a number of plants particularly Homalanthus nutans (Bleeding heart) and Glochidion spp. (Cheese tree)

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