Great Owl Moth

Common name of a species of large and robustly built moth, with the scientific name Erebus macrops. It has a wingspan of around 12 centimeters and is endemic to Southeast Asia, but is also found in other subtropical regions of Asia. It belongs to the family of Noctuidae, i.e. owlet moths. In the larvae stage, they reportedly feed on Acacia species. Above, the wings are dark greyish-brown, with black –mostly v-shaped– makings, sometimes with a diffuse pale grey to whitish edge, as well as two large eye spots, one on each of the forewings. The Great Owl Moth is nocturnal and during the day, adult moths rest on shaded tree trunks on rock faces, with the wings held flat. The large eyespots or ocelli in combination with the colouration and markings on the wings above, as well as the abdomen which resembles an owl's beak, are reminiscent to the features of an owl's face (fig.), hence the origin of its common name. In Thai, it is called mot tah nok hook yai (มอธตานกฮูกใหญ่ - fig.). See also WILDLIFE PICTURES. 回