Giant Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) – Complete Care Guide

The Giant Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) is one of the world’s largest moth species, admired for its enormous wingspan, vibrant patterns and gentle temperament. Despite its impressive size, Attacus atlas is surprisingly straightforward to rear when supplied with the correct host plants, humidity, and temperature. This guide covers everything from egg care to caterpillar development, pupation, emergence and adult maintenance.

Background

Attacus atlas (Linnaeus, 1758) is a very large silk-moth which has one of the largest wing-spans of any Lepidopteran (butterfly and moth) species. It is a classic species for butterfly farms and enthusiasts, with livestock regularly available from butterfly farms in Asia. We have regular shipments of atlas from Thailand, with occasional stock from Indonesia.

Host plants - Privet (Ligustrum), Lilac (Syringa), Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica), Willow (Salix), and multiple others!

Rearing difficulty - Straightforward

Wingspan - 25 to 28cm on average, with 30cm reported anecdotally

Native range - SE Asia

Eggs & Hatchlings

Atlas moth eggs are pale white-cream to pink and larger than many other moth species. While robust, they should be treated with care to ensure high hatch rates.

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How to Care for Eggs

  • Store eggs in an airtight plastic container (e.g., Tupperware)
  • This stabilises humidity and temperature.
  • Keep at room temperature
  • Eggs in open or vented containers can dry out quickly, preventing successful hatching.
  • Eggs usually hatch within 10–14 days

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After Hatching

Newly emerged larvae often eat their eggshell as their first meal.
Allow several hours before moving them to a separate container with host plant leaves.

Hatchlings benefit from moisture at this stage:

  • Mist the container very lightly, or
  • Place them on damp tissue to allow drinking from tiny droplets.
Live butterflies and moths for sale online UK. Order eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and cocoons. Watch the lifecycle unfold with insects to rear at home!
Live butterflies and moths for sale online UK. Order eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and cocoons. Watch the lifecycle unfold with insects to rear at home!
Live butterflies and moths for sale online UK. Order eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and cocoons. Watch the lifecycle unfold with insects to rear at home!

Caterpillars

Best Host Plants for Attacus atlas

The most reliable and commonly used hosts include:

  • Privet (Ligustrum) – ideal winter host; evergreen
  • Lilac (Syringa)
  • Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

Other accepted plants include Cherry Laurel, Willow, Citrus, Cinnamomum, Avocado, Guava, Custard Apple and Citrus.

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Rearing Early Instars

  • Rear larvae in plastic containers until the 2nd or 3rd instar.
  • Once feeding reliably, transfer them to mesh cages with cut stems in water or living potted host plants

    Atlas larvae appreciate humidity and moisture, so mist every 1–2 days. Caterpillars will often drink droplets from the leaf surface.

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Growth & Instars

Atlas caterpillars go through six instars, not five, due to their exceptional size. Sixth-stage larvae:

  • Become very large
  • Feed for 2–3 weeks before pupating
  • Spin a silk cocoon, usually attached to a leaf by a sturdy silk pad

Cocoons can be thin and papery or thick and tough, depending on time of year. Autumn/winter cocoons tend to be thicker because the pupa may overwinter.

Attacus atlas larvae in L6

The caterpillars become huge at this stage - it is the longest in duration of all six stages as they consume massive volumes of food before pupating

Attacus atlas Eggs

Pupae & Cocoons

In most cases, A. atlas cocoons can be kept at room temperature. Atlas moths are native to warm, humid highland forests, making them tolerant of moderate indoor temperatures.

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Humidity

  • Mist heavily daily to mimic tropical wet-season conditions.
  • Low humidity can cause:

- Failure to emerge
- Crumpled or deformed wings

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Development Time

  • Summer–Autumn: 4–6 weeks
  • Winter: Pupae may enter diapause, emerging in mid-spring
  • Thai stock frequently produces a winter diapause generation, whilst atlas from other regions have different seasonal patterns

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Keeping Cocoons

Cocoons are robust and can remain in mesh cages, but for best results:

  • Use a polystyrene box setup (see pupae care guide)
  • Maintain environment at:

- 20–26°C

- 80%+ humidity

A heat mat can provide a more consistent temperature and synchronise emergence but must be used with care to avoid overheating.

Live moth eggs and cocoons for sale online UK

Atlas Moths emerging

A couple of freshly emerged Atlas Moths suspended from their cocoons - the females tend not to move from this position until they have mated and are ready to deposit their eggs.

Attacus atlas Cocoons