Giant Moth Detected in the United States for the First Time; Authorities Ask to Report Further Moth Sightings

A giant moth with a wingspan the size of a human adult hand has been detected in United States for the first time, according to the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

The US agriculture agency asked residents to report further sightings of the moth, which is native to the forests of Asia.

Authorities are conducting an investigation to determine if the moth is alone or is part of a larger insect population.

The creature in question is called the atlas moth, famously known for its wing markings consisting a mixture of white, black, and brown colors.

The sighting was first reported in the state last month when a University of Washington (UW) professor informed the state agency of the insect's whereabouts in Bellevue, Seattle.

The moth was taken into the custody of the U.S. Agriculture Department, which confirmed its identity.

Local officials reportedly believe it is the first instance the moth species was found in US soil, leading to certain inquiries on how it got into the North American country in the first place.

With this, the Washington agriculture officials continue to attempt if there is an actual atlas moth population in the state or not.

Confirming it as a tropical moth, the officials doubt of the insect's survival.

In the past, there have been several instances where animals not native to the US were accidentally or intentionally introduced by travelers from other continents.

In June, a moth species not seen in the US since 1912 was found by customs agents in the luggage of a passenger at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Michigan. 

Atlas Moth Sighting

(Photo : Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

In early July, it was a typical day of receiving emails of backyard insects for UW Professor Patrick Tobin, when he received an email which stood out among the rest, since it showed a picture of the massive Atlas moth, located a few miles away on a garage door in Bellevue, according to Seattle Times.

Prior to reporting it to the state agency, Tobin contacted the homeowner and informed it was not native in the area.

The entomologist said his career was fulfilled already after seeing the relatively rare invasive insect in the country.

There is still limited knowledge about the moth, but entomologists believe its host plants include apple trees and cherry, NBC News noted.

Also Read: Nocturnal Pollinators: Scientists Catch Moths Visiting Red Clovers After Dark

What is an Atlas Moth?

The atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can be found in several countries in Asia, from India to the Philippines, and south to Indonesia.

Belonging to the Saturniidae family whose members are also giant silkworm moths, California Academy of Sciences.

In terms of wing surface area and wingspan, atlas moth is indeed one of the largest moth species in the world.

Attacus has a maximum wingspan of around 10 inches.

The huge insect is just shy away from the white witch moth (Thysania agrippina), which can be found in Central America and South America; it holds the world record of having the largest wingspan of about 14 inches.

The atlas moth has an abundant population in Asia, despite being preyed on by birds, lizards, and reptiles such as snakes.

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