This species of moth nicknamed the gentle giant cannot feed as they have no mouths.

This particular atlas moth was spotted in Tamil Nadu, India, hung in front of a family's home. It then flew down and sat in the palm of a girl.

Atlas moth the "Gentle Giant" and a rare species of butterfly is spotted in South India


Location: Connoor Nilgris district of Tamilnadu state in South India


A giant butterfly-like moth is seen in the Coonoor area. A family spotted it during the night in the star hung in front of their house. They were amazed to see its big size. It then flew and sat on the palm of a girl. The butterfly was as big as the size of the girl’s palm.

When enquired about the same with the Entomologist he said “ Atlas moth, a rare species that belongs to both moths and butterflies are rarely seen. It grows upto 20 cm and it is active only at night as its sole purpose is to mate. Since it has no mouth it isn't able to feed. It dies in a couple of days as soon as it comes out from the chrysalis”.