Native Animals

Attacus atlas

Kupu-kupu Kuda
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SSN 51246
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Taxonomy

The taxonomic status is pending for approval

Description

The Atlas Moth, known scientifically as Attacus atlas, belongs to the family of the giant silkworm moth, Saturniidae. Its common name is either derived from the Titan of Greek mythology, Atlas, or its map-like wing pattern. In Malay, this moth is probably known as “Kupu-kupu Kuda” (Stamp catalog, n.d.).

The Atlas Moth is the largest moth in Malaysia with respect to wing surface area and wingspan. The wingspan can spread over 9.8 inches or up to 35 cm from wing tip to wing tip, with females being slightly larger and heavier than males (Mary et al., 2016). The wings are brown in colour with light yellow, red, purple, black and pink accents. The wing tips of the forewing are hooked. The forewing and hindwing have translucent “window” patches, which are triangular and bordered in black. The apex of the forewing looks like a “snake’s head”, and functions as defence against predation.

The Atlas Moth is distributed in Asia ranging from India to the Philippines and south to Indonesia (The California Academy of Sciences, 2020). Its habitat ranges from lowland forests up to upper montane forest at about 2,000 m a.s.l.

Location

by State Location
  • Kedah 1
  • Penang 1
  • Selangor 1
Based on publications, specimens, and images

Biodiversity Experts

Profile
Aishah Hani Azil (Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
  • Insects
  • Mosquitoes
  • Biodiversity
  • Medical
  • Science
Azidah Abdul Aziz (Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
  • Insects (Taxonomy)
  • Biodiversity
  • PM
Fatimah Abang (Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
  • Insects
  • Butterflies and Moths
  • Biodiversity
  • Marine & Coastal
  • SBH
  • SWK
Heo Chong Chin (Dr.)
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
  • Insects
  • Biodiversity
  • Ecosystems
  • Medical
  • Science
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
Khaironizam Md Zain (Dr.)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
  • Fishes
  • Insects
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Science
  • PM
Liew Thor Seng (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
  • Insects
  • Molluscs
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  • Data Analysis
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  • Evolution
  • Genetics
  • PM
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Nivaarani Arumugam (Ms.)
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)
  • Insects
  • Biodiversity
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  • Ecosystems
  • Forest
  • PM
  • SBH
Noor Azrizal Bin Abdul Wahid (Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
  • Insects
  • Molecular
  • Systematics
  • Evolution
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  • PM
Raja Muhammad Zuha (Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
  • Insects
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Rosli Hashim (Prof. Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Mammals (Ecology)
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  • W
Suhaila Abd Hamid (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
  • Insects
  • Insects (Taxonomy)
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  • Water
  • PM
Sze Huei Yek (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
  • Ants
  • Insects
  • Mosquitoes
  • Biodiversity
  • Ecology
  • Entomology
  • Evolution
  • PM
  • SBH
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Tan Li Peng (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)
  • Arachnids
  • Insects
  • Agriculture
  • Biodiversity
  • Forest
  • PM
PM - Peninsular Malaysia; SBH - Sabah; SWK - Sarawak; SEA - Southeast Asia; W - World;

References

Article
  1. Bhawane, G.P., Mamlayya, A.B., Koli, Y.J., Phonde, Y.A., Aland, S.R. & Gaikwad, S.M. (2011). Life History of Attacus atlas Linn. (Saturniidae: Lepidoptera) on Sapium insigne Benth. The Bioscan 6 (3), 497-500. http://thebioscan.in/Journals_PDF/6330-%20G.%20P.%20BHAWANE.pdf
  2. Ismail, R. & Sulaiman, A. (2016). The diversity of Moth Fauna (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) according to Altitudes of Taman Negara Johor, Gunung Ledang. SERANGGA 21 (1), 87-105
  3. Mary, P.P., Kammar, V., Rani, A.T. & Yathish, K.R. (2016). Giant Moths and Their Conservation. Arthropod Diversity and Conservation in the Tropics and Sub-tropics. pp. 315-325
  4. Moseley, M., Wyn, L.T. & Tshen, L.T. (2012). Fauna Reported from Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia: Annotated Checklist and Bibliography. 39 (2), 77-92
  5. Sathe, T.V. & Kavane, R. (2014). Biology of Attacus atlas (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), A Wild Silk Worm of India. Indian Journal of Applied Research 4 (10), 4-7. https://www.worldwidejournals.com/indian-journal-of-applied-research-(IJAR)/fileview/October_2014_1492784348__187.pdf
Book
  1. Malaysian Naturalist, Volume 74, Issue/No. 4, 2021. Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. pp. 311.
  2. Abdul Rahman, A.R., Mohd Nasir, A.H., Mohamed Zin, Y., Richard, A.M. & Latiff, A. (2013). Banjaran Bintang Gunung Inas, Kedah: Pengurusan Hutan, Persekitaran Fizikal dan Kepelbagaian Biologi. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 245.
  3. Chakravarthy, A.K. & Sridhara, S. (2016). Arthropod Diversity and Conservation in the Tropics and Sub-tropics. Springer, Singapore. pp. XXIV, 435.
  4. Shaharuddin, M.I., Che, H.H., Mohd. Puat, Dahalan, Jalil, M.S., Norhaidi, Y. & Latiff, A. (2005). Hutan Simpan Ulu Muda, Kedah: Pengurusan, Persekitaran Fizikal Dan Biologi. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 310.
Journal
  1. Idris, A.B. SERANGGA, Volume 16, Issue 2, p. 71, 2011
Online
  1. Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre. n.d. Pupae Sales. Retrieved May 19, 2020, from https://www.angkorbutterfly.com/bbcpupaesales.html.
  2. CITES. 1999. Notification to the Parties: Proposals to amend Appendix II. Retrieved May 19, 2020, from https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/notif/1999/040.shtml
  3. Etsy. n.d. Snake Head Attacus Atlas Female Real Moth Entomology Collectible in Shadowbox. . Retrieved May 19, 2020, from http://www.etsy.com/listing/761471634/snake-head-attacus-atlas-female-real?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_ query= attacus+atlas&ref=sr_gallery-1-19&col=1
  4. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Retrieved April 13, 2016, from http://www.gbif.org
  5. Mudah.my Sdn Bhd. n.d. Dy Butterfly Collection of Atlas Moth in Frame (Second-hand). Retrieved May 19, 2020, from https://www.mudah.my/Dy+Butterfly+Collection+of+Atlas+Moth+in+Frame-62445383.htm
  6. The California Academy of Sciences. Atlas Moth. The California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved May 19, 2020, from https://www.calacademy.org/explore-science/atlas-moth
  7. Holloway, J.D.The Moth of Borneo. Southdene Sdn. Bhd. Retrieved June 17, 2020, from http://www.mothsofborneo.com/

Acknowledgements :- Mr. Abdul Razak Mohd Nor Rasid, Ms. Aida Salihah Binti Abu Bakar, Ms. Amirah Hasanah Binti Mazlan, Ms. Fatin Qurratul 'ain Binti Saberam, Mr. Mohamad Firdaus Bin Mohamad Ridzwan, Ms. Noor Zahidah Binti Ahmad Sobri, Ms. Nur Asikin Binti Maskuri, Mrs. Nuramirah Binti Mat Zain, Ms. Nurfadzilah Bt Azmi, Ms. Nurfarhana Hizan Binti Hijas, Ms. Nurul Aimi Amirah Binti Mohd Zaki, Mr. Tan Kok Kiat & Mr. Yasser Mohamed Arifin

Photo credit :- GC Gan, Mohamad Omar B. Mohamad Khaidzir, Tan Kok Kiat & Yasser Arifin

Species Citation :- Attacus atlas. Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Accessed via https://www.mybis.gov.my/sp/51246. [Retrieved 02 December 2023].

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