Abstract
Giant moths were found in North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology campus, Papum Pare, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Both species of moths had bipectinate antennae. The largest moth of this area was identified as Atlas moth, Attacus atlas (Saturniidae: series Heterocera: Lepidoptera). It measured 23 cm in breadth from wing to wing. This species is brown with flask-shaped transparent windows on the fore and hind wings. Another moth was identified as luna moth (Actias selene), Saturniidae. It measured 19 cm in breadth from wing to wing. It is yellow with oval windows on all wings. Posterior end of hind wings in this species is greatly elongated and looks like a pair of tails. Information on the status of giant moths in Europe, Malaysia, and other countries is provided. The causes of decline in giant moth populations across different habitats are enumerated. Such magnificent and beautiful moths of the Indian subcontinent require conservation to preserve them for posterity.
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Mary, P.P., Kammar, V., Rani, A.T., Yathish, K.R. (2016). Giant Moths and Their Conservation. In: Chakravarthy, A., Sridhara, S. (eds) Arthropod Diversity and Conservation in the Tropics and Sub-tropics. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1518-2_19
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1518-2_19
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