Atlas moth Scientific name: Attacus atlasDepartment: Entomology, image © California A

Atlas moth 

Scientific name: Attacus atlas
Department:Entomology, image © California Academy of Sciences

The Academy has more than 700,000 butterflies and moths in its collection, 38 of which are Atlas moths. The Atlas moth is one of the largest moths in the world in terms of wing surface area and wingspan and perhaps most famous for the markings on the upper corner of their wings, which bear an uncanny resemblance to cobra heads (in profile).

While not all entomologists are convinced of that visual mimicry, there is some convincing evidence. Cobras live in the same part of the world as these moths, and the moth’s main predators—birds and lizards—are visual hunters. Plus, species related to the Atlas moth have similar but less defined versions of the snake’s head, showing a pattern that could have been fine-tuned by natural selection. Read more on calacademy.org.