Washington State Entomologists Ask: ‘Have You Seen This Huge Moth?’

Washington State entomologists are asking individuals to be looking out for a probably problematic newcomer to the state: the Atlas moth. Fortunately, the bugs are fairly exhausting to overlook, with their almost 10-inch wingspans and distinctive diamond markings.

“This is a ‘gee-whiz’ type of insect because it is so large,” Sven Spichiger, an entomologist on the state’s agricultural division, mentioned in a WSDA press release (titled “Have you seen this huge moth?”). “Even if you aren’t on the lookout for insects, this is the type that people get their phones out and take a picture of – they are that striking.”

Spichiger and others are on alert after a single Atlas moth was noticed, recognized, and captured within the metropolis of Bellevue close to Seattle final month. Experts at the moment are attempting to find out if the sighting was a one-off case of an escaped insect or if there’s a inhabitants of moths establishing store within the space.

Atlas moths are one of the largest moth species on the earth. They’re second solely in wingspan to the white witch moth (wingspan 14 inches) and arguably have the most important wing space of all identified species. Their wing form and markings are regarded as developed to resemble the heads of snakes, as a way of averting potential predators.

“It’s an incredibly beautiful moth,” Patrick Tobin, an entomologist on the University of Washington, told KUOW. “The snake head on the wingtips, it’s just an amazing design, and it’s such an incredible example of mimicry.”

However, as stunning as they’re, Atlas moths aren’t a welcome sight for entomologists or farmers. The bugs are native to Asia, from India to the Philippines and Indonesia. Their caterpillars are voracious eaters, they usually can shortly defoliate timber and different vegetation. Atlas moth caterpillars are occasionally considered a crop pest, even of their house vary, once they have a inhabitants growth.

And within the U.S., the species is taken into account a federally quarantined pest. It’s unlawful to purchase, preserve, or promote stay Atlas moths, caterpillars, eggs, or cocoons with out particular USDA-granted permits.

In Washington particularly, entomologists fear the state’s apple and cherry timber might find yourself as attainable host vegetation for Atlas caterpillars. Washington is the U.S.’s largest producer of each apples and sweet cherries. Though, it’s unclear if the (principally) tropical moths might even survive long-term within the northern state.

Other giant, associated moths are native to the United States, like Cecropia moths (the most important in North America) and Polyphemus moths. Please don’t squish them.

The actual origins of the one moth discovered to this point fluttering round Bellevue are unknown. However, KUOW reported {that a} native, now-defunct eBay account was promoting Atlas moth cocoons for $60 every on-line. “This particular individual was bringing in cocoons from Thailand, which is highly illegal, and selling them on eBay, which is also highly illegal,” Tobin instructed the information outlet.

If you do occur to see something you suppose could possibly be an Atlas moth in Washington, officers wish to know. Take an image, be aware the situation, and report it by way of electronic mail to pestprogram@agr.wa.gov. For sightings anyplace else within the nation, photographs and placement information needs to be despatched to native state plant regulatory officers or state plant well being administrators, in keeping with the WSDA press launch.