One of the macrocosm ’s largest moth has been formally reported in the US for the first time . Since Atlas moth , which have a wingspan of 25 centimeters ( 10 inches ) , are typically found in the tropical woodland of Asia , entomologists are currentness clueless about how the illicit insect found itself in Washington .
The moth was ab initio report to the Washington State Department of Agriculture ( WSDA ) by Patrick C Tobin , an associate prof of bionomics at the University of Washington , on July 7 . The specimen was send to the Animal and Plant Health Investigation Service at the United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) which reassert on July 27 that it was , as suspected , an atlas moth .
“ It was pretty amazing to see a unrecorded grownup moth and to hold it in my hand . I teach a tropical bionomics course in Costa Rica through my University , so I am used to get wind some passably awful dirt ball metal money in the tropic forests . But see this live moth , which is considered to be the largest in the world , was special , ” Tobin told IFLScience .
Atlas moths ( Attacus atlas ) are name after the Titan Atlas , who held up the vault of heaven in Greek mythology , due to their colossal size . With a wingspan of over 25 centimeters , the species is one of the world ’s largest lepidopterans , the order of insect that includes butterflies and moths .
The metal money is considered a federally quarantined pest in the US , meaning it is illegal to prevail , harbor , rear , or sell live moths without a permit from USDA . This is because it could potentially become an invasive species , posing a risk to agriculture , the natural environment , or native species in the US .
The mingy restrictions put on this species make its appearance in the US even queer .
" An individual from the Bellevue domain of Seattle , from where the adult moth was found , was deal live cocoons of the Atlas moth source from Thailand on eBay . This is by far the most logical explanation for get hold the adult moth , " bestow Tobin .
Atlas moths have been spotted outside of their natural range before . In 2012 , a vast book of maps moth wasreportedin the township of Ramsbottom in Greater Manchester , UK . In this instance , it was suspected that the individual had escaped from a private collection .
If you ’re in Washington and you think you ’ve blob an atlas moth , take a photo and institutionalise it topestprogram@agr.wa.gov , along with some info about where it was spotted . Outside of Washington , you should report it to theState Plant Regulatory OfficialorState Plant Health Directorin your state of matter .
This article was remediate to admit quote from Patrick C Tobin
