CARL MARSHALL: More magnificent moths

These incredible moths emerged last week.

These have recently emerged. They are Hercules moths Coscinocera hercules (sometimes known as Attacus omphale). C.hercules is a very large moth of the Saturniidae family, endemic to Papua New Guinea and northern Australia and can have an enormous wingspan of up to 27cm (approx 10.63 in). It is the largest moth found in Australia and one of the largest in the world.

This example is a male. C. hercules are sexually dimorphic, with only the males having the extended tail on each hindwing, and extended tips on the forewings.

Photographs by Philippe Lurin.