Huge moth ONE FOOT across found in Lancashire garden

A HUGE exotic moth measuring a FOOT from wing tip to wing tip has been found in Lancashire — thousands of miles from its usual habitat.

The Giant Atlas Moth is normally seen in south-east Asia, particularly in Malaysia.

And experts were astonished when one turned up more than 6,000 miles away in a garden in Ramsbottom.

It has now taken up residence at Animal World in Bolton and has laid eggs - which have hatched into caterpillars.

Centre manager Mark Lightowler said: “The moth was found in the back yard of a house in Ramsbottom.

“It must have escaped from a private collection.

“The family contacted Animal World and I could not believe they had found a Giant Atlas Moth in their backyard. It doesn’t happen. It is just amazing and for it to have laid eggs, I am staggered.”

The Blackmore family who found the moth took it to Animal World in a large container on the advice of Mr Lightowler in mid-August.

Two weeks ago the caterpillars hatched and now measure 5in. They can be seen by visitors at the centre’s butterfly house.

Mr Lightowler added: “Often when people see Giant Atlas Moth they don’t believe they are real because of their size.

“This moth would just not be able to survive in the wild (in England) and for it to have survived is amazing.”

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4602797/giant-atlas-moth-found-in-lancashire-garden.html#ixzz2A4ePeM98

WOW good find ,thanks for the info.