? Practical guide for breeding and maintaining Attacus atlas and Attacus lorquinii
1. Introduction
Attacus are giant moths from the Saturniidae family. Attacus atlas is famous for being the moth with the largest wingspan in the world (up to 30 cm), while Attacus lorquinii is smaller (20–22 cm) but very striking, native to the Philippines and parts of Southeast Asia.
They are nocturnal species, spectacular and easy to breed if they have the right food, although they require space and good ventilation.
2. Biological cycle
Egg
Large size, whitish-yellow.
Laid in groups on host plant leaves.
Hatching: 10–14 days at 25–28 °C.
Caterpillar (larva)
Large, robust, whitish with bluish, waxy tubercles.
Reach 10–12 cm in the final instar.
Go through 5 larval stages.
Duration: 4–5 weeks under optimal conditions.
Chrysalis (pupa inside cocoon)
Spin brown/grayish oval silk cocoons, hanging from branches.
Pupal stage lasts 3–5 weeks in summer; may enter diapause in winter.
Adult moth
Attacus atlas: wingspan up to 25–30 cm.
Attacus lorquinii: 20–22 cm.
Brownish/reddish colors with triangular white patterns.
Do not feed (live off reserves).
Lifespan: 7–14 days.
Only dedicated to mating and laying eggs.
3. Environmental conditions
?️ Temperature:
Eggs & larvae: 24–28 °C.
Pupae: 22–26 °C.
? Humidity:
Eggs & larvae: 70–80%.
Cocoons: 60–70% (with good ventilation to avoid mold).
☀️ Light: not essential, but a natural day/night cycle is helpful.
4. Caterpillar feeding
Accepted host plants (depending on local availability):
For Attacus atlas:
Privet (Ligustrum spp.)
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Avocado (Persea americana)
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum)
Guava (Psidium)
For Attacus lorquinii:
Guava (Psidium)
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum)
Other broad-leaved tropical fruit trees
Recommendations:
Provide fresh branches in containers with water (covered with cotton or paper).
Renew food daily or every 2 days.
Avoid wet or pesticide-treated leaves.
5. Maintenance and cleaning
Use large cages or mesh boxes → larvae need space and good ventilation.
Absorbent paper at the bottom to remove droppings easily.
Clean every 1–2 days.
Avoid overcrowding: no more than 10–15 large larvae per medium cage.
6. The cocoon
When they stop feeding, they look for a branch and begin spinning.
Provide dry twigs or mesh for attachment.
Do not handle during spinning.
Mature cocoon in 2–3 days.
7. Adult moths
Emerge at dawn.
Need vertical space to expand wings.
Do not feed; live only to reproduce.
Mating: males and females pair easily in captivity if given space and darkness.
Females may lay 100–200 eggs.
8. Important tips
✅ Keep temperature and humidity stable (more tropical for lorquinii).
✅ Provide fresh host plant branches daily.
✅ Avoid excess humidity → risk of mold on pupae.
✅ Do not handle pupae or newly emerged moths.
✅ Prepare large enclosures for final stages → they are very large insects.
9. Quick summary (checklist)
Eggs → 25–28 °C, 70–80% humidity, hatch in 10–14 days.
Larvae → fresh branches of privet/guava/cinnamon, clean every 1–2 days.
Cocoons → ventilation, pupation 3–5 weeks (possible diapause).
Moths → lifespan 1–2 weeks, do not feed, captive breeding possible.