We often associate insects with small sizes, we think of them as beings capable of going unnoticed before our eyes. However, there is a variety of these animals that, although they can reach tiny sizes, there are also gigantic ones. Such is the case of the white witch moth, the largest insect in the world.
The white witch moth whose scientific name is Thysania agrippina it is one of the few moths that reach extremely large sizes. So much so that it is known as the ‘birdwing moth’ because of its large wingspan when spreading its wings. With its wings fully open it reaches a total size of up to 30 centimeters. While the Atlas butterfly (Attacus Atlas) is considered the largest in the world because it has the largest wing area, the white witch reaches an even larger size although its wings do not have the area to compete with the Atlas.
It is also known as an emperor butterfly, although it is actually a moth. Other names it has been given include ghost butterfly, great white witch, and white devil. Its distribution is varied, it inhabits from Mexico and to South American countries such as Uruguay.
Little is known about the largest insect in the world.
Unfortunately, this species of lepidoptera is so mysterious that much is still unknown about it. But it is believed that its development could be associated with leguminous plants, that is, that its larvae incubate in bushes of the type Cassia Y Sign. Also, when it reaches its full size and adulthood, the white witch moth develops dark zigzagging lines on a creamy white background. This pattern allows them to masterfully camouflage with the bark of the trees of their natural habitat.
The German naturalist and illustrator, Maria Sibylla Merian, in her masterpiece Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensiu, portrays this color pattern in great detail. The same thing that helps their survival because with their beautiful wings that resemble tree bark, they are more likely to escape unscathed from predators.
Unfortunately, there is not much information about the behavior, development and ways of life of the white witch. It is only known that, like other Lepidoptera, when they are in their larval stage, they feed on tree leaves. But when they reach adulthood and attain moth form, they switch their diet to liquid food in liquid form.
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