Critter Science
  • Zoology
    • About the Critterman
    • Ecology
      • Animal Conservation
        • Endangered Animals
        • Ex Situ Explained
        • In Situ Explained
      • Ecosystems
        • The Biomes
      • Evolution. The Facts.
        • Animal Devolution
        • Evolution of Amphibians
        • Evolution of Birds
        • Natural Selection
      • Predator vs Prey
      • Producers and Consumers
    • Sustainability
      • Climate Change
      • Global Warming
      • Pollution
      • Recycling
      • Renewable Energy
    • Animal Behavioral Patterns
      • Types of Animal Dormancy
    • What are Species?
      • Amphibians vs Reptiles
      • Animal Reproduction
      • Claws, Nails, and Talons
      • Frogs vs Toads
      • Fur and Hair
      • Gecko Feet
      • Invasive Species
      • IUCN Statuses
      • The Enigmatic Purr
      • Venom vs Poison
      • What is a Marsupial?
  • Daily Critter Facts
    • Amphibian Facts
      • Frog Facts
      • Newt Facts
      • Salamander Facts
      • Toad Facts
    • Arthropod Facts
      • Arachnid Facts
      • Insect Facts
    • Bird Facts
      • Flightless Bird Facts
      • Predatory Bird Facts
      • Scavenger Bird Facts
    • Cryptozoology
    • Fish Facts
      • Cephalopod Facts
      • Crustacean Facts
      • Jellyfish Facts
      • Reefs
      • Shark and Ray Facts
      • Shellfish Facts
    • Flying Mammal Facts
    • Gastropod Facts
    • Land Mammal Facts
      • Canine Facts
      • Feline Facts
      • Lagomorph Facts
      • Marsupial Facts
      • Primate Facts
      • Rodent Facts
      • Ungulate Facts
    • Parasite Facts
    • Reptile Facts
      • Crocodilian Facts
      • Lizard Facts
      • Snake Facts
      • Turtle Facts
    • Sea Mammal Facts
      • Dolphin Facts
      • Porpoise Facts
      • Sea Lion Facts
      • Seal Facts
      • Whale Facts
    • Worm Facts
  • For Teachers
    • Butterfly Life Cycle
      • Butterfly Metamorphosis
      • World’s Largest Butterfly
      • World’s Largest Moth
    • Metamorphosis – A Frog’s Life Cycle
    • The Cellular Structure of an Animal
    • Animal Quizzes
      • Amphibians Quiz
      • Bird Quiz
      • Cat Quiz
      • Dolphin Quiz
      • Insect Quiz
      • Reptile Quiz
    • Animal Word Search
    • Coloring Pages
  • Study Guides
    • African Animals
    • Antarctica Animals
    • Asian Animals
    • Australian Animals
    • Central American Animals
    • European Animals
    • North American Animals
    • South American Animals
  • Diseases & Parasites
    • Bsal
    • Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
    • Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
    • The Deadly Chytrid Fungus
    • All About Parasites
    • The Rabies Virus
    • White-Nose Syndrome
  • Contact
    • General Contact
    • Guest Article Submission
      • Guest Articles
        • Guest Articles – 2024
    • What Critter is This?
    • Animal Welfare Organizations
    • Privacy Policy
Subscribe

Slide WORLD'S LARGEST
MOTH
WORLD'S LARGEST
MOTH

When it comes to big moths, no one, in my opinion, beats the Hercules Moth. Coscinocera hercules (Hercules moth) is a moth of the family Saturniidae, endemic to New Guinea and northern Australia. It has a wingspan of 11 inches, making it the largest moth found in Australia, and its wings have the largest documented surface area 118 square inches of any living insect.

moth

Where They’re From

Hercules Moths occur in New Guinea and tropical Queensland. Adult moths do not feed and thus are very short-lived. However, what an amazing spectacle they are when they are adults!

Caterpillars

Their spectacular pale-blue caterpillars can grow to a length of 4.75 inches and a weight of 1 ounce. The caterpillars feed on leaves of several rainforest trees but prefer those of the Bleeding Heart tree, Omalanthus nutans. At the rear end they have 2 large, false eyes to confuse potential attackers.

In its natural setting this species feeds on Dysoxylum muelleri, (Red Bean); Glochidion ferdinandi, (Cheese tree); Omalanthus novoguinensis, (Bleeding heart); Omalanthus nutans, (Native bleeding heart); Timonius rumphii, and Timonius singularis.

moth

Some more cool facts…

1.) Larvae often consume most or all of discarded skin.

2.) Females call in males by emitting pheromones. The males tend to be slightly smaller than the females, but have more vibrant coloration and longer “tails”.

3.) Gravid females lay 80 – 100 eggs singly or in small groups.

4.) Emerging larvae chew a hole through one side of the egg and struggle to extricate themselves.

5.) Late instar larvae get quite large 4 inches, like to sip on water droplets, and take on a greenish-blue coloration.

A side note… I know the video clip is not of a Hercules moth.

Search Critter Science

Subscribe

I’ve Been Featured On…











Recent Posts

  • Tehuantepec jackrabbit
    The Tehuantepec Jackrabbit

    May 27, 20250

  • school shark
    The School Shark

    May 26, 20250

  • blue-headed quail-dove
    The Blue-Headed Quail-Dove

    May 23, 20250

  • Caspian seal
    The Caspian Seal

    May 22, 20250

  • crawfish frog
    The Crawfish Frog

    May 21, 20250

Past Articles

Follow Critter Science

Recent Comments

  • Critterman on The Arizona Coachwhip
  • Art gushen on The Arizona Coachwhip
  • Critterman on The Dementor Wasp
  • majig johnson on The Dementor Wasp
  • Critterman on Arg, It’s the Giant Squid!

Categories

Spread the Word

  • Daily Critter Facts
  • Guest Articles
  • BYET
  • Teachers
  • Study Guides
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025, Critter Science. All Rights Reserved.