The Lesser Atlas moth

This beauty landed on my leg as I was walking one night in the forests of Tai Mo Shan.

This is the Lesser Atlas Moth, like a smaller version of the Atlas moth, but with more rounded wings, and it is a far more common moth to see, even having several generations in one year.

Many of their pupae are parasitised by the large black chalcid wasps or other flies. The atlas moth defends itself by imitating a snake’s appearance and even behaviour. It has a convincing pattern on its wings, and it will also fall to the ground and flap around to look like a writhing snake. For more information see the blog post on the Atlas moth.