Huge butterfly

[macahoom]

I've been living in Phuket for almost 11 years. I've seen big butterflies before, but nothing as big as this.

That's an adult, female hand in the pic to give an idea of the size.

Edited January 4, 2016 by macahoom

[schlog]

In Maikhaw you will see them regularly. Some black one are sometimes bigger then birds.

Nice pic.

[villagefarang]

That is an Atlas Moth. They start off looking like the top picture and then turn into something a little more attractive.

Edited January 4, 2016 by villagefarang

[Jimi007]

Yes an Atlas Moth. I used to have them at my house every year, but I haven't seen one for the past few years here in Rawai. They are quite beautiful and their wing marking look like a bird.

[whitemouse]

Beautiful!

[KarenBravo]

See them every year in Chalong.

[keeniau96]

I had one exactly like the big brown one in the pix above. Had just peacefully parked itself on a hanging in our breezeway. Beautiful with those remarkable large transparent panels in the wings. Flew away, never see again.

[JMWPACIFIC]

Atlas Moth, otherwise known as Snakehead Moth because of the snake head on the wings. Largest in the world. Beautiful!

[grumpyoldman]

Had similar on my patio last year.

[beechbum]

Had similar on my patio last year.

mosaic moth.jpg

lucky enough to get the camo moths regularly at our place really are spectacular looking insects.

[sebastion]

Had similar on my patio last year.

mosaic moth.jpg

Thats amazing.

[Guest]

Speaking of bugs. Have anyone seen tortoise beetles (Aspidomorpha sanctaecrucis) in Phuket?

I have seen this bug twice during the years I have lived here, but have not managed to get a decent photo of it.

(below not my photo)

[Guest]

If the OP don't mind, let's expand this topic to cover more of the wildlife in Phuket. After all, that's one of the best things here.

Or should we open a new topic covering what kind of animals we have met in Phuket?

I have plenty of these common birdwing butterflies (Troides helena cerberus) flying around my home. Some days ago, I managed to capture them while mating on a tree next to my home.

[beechbum]

Another in Chalong.

[JetsetBkk]

Another in Chalong.

Ah, the Hawk Moth:

If you have any prized plants nearby, you'd better check them for caterpillars.

There's a long post on these barstewards here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/371722-nature/?p=9735564

[grumpyoldman]

Since there is a lot of wood around the place, get these wood toned butterflies.

[Jimi007]

I like these blue ones.

And Orange ones:

[Youaredoomed]

Note the cunning camouflage to look like a lizard on the wing tips. Isn't Nature amazing?

[botfly]

That is simply stunning, almost doesn't look real in the OP if his hand wasn't there.