Aug 2, 2025
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"Herald"
Repost @coppensb
Giant owl moths / Brahmaea wallichii
Cassandra from Tangled!
I feel like she'd be a moth. Specially that one who looks like an owl, cause she has an owl. But the funny thing is that I have a huge phobia of moths. It's ironic.
Cassanda is an Owl Moth (brahmaea wallichii)!
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmaea_wallichii
However, if you want my own assignment as well, I'd pick the Modest Sphinx Moth (pachysphinx modesta)!
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachysphinx_modesta
Owl Moths - Brahmaea
Brahmaea, otherwise known as owl moths, is a genus of moths of the family Brahmaeidae. Brahmaea predominantly inhibit areas in Asia, but not exclusively.
@the-ellia-west hii, I could not find a whole lot on these species, I hope the amount of information is sufficient and, hopefully, that you learn something new :DD
@hispaatra, @zick-the-fairy you might also find these species interesting <3
Sino-Tibetan Owl Moth, or Sino-Korean Owl Moth - Brahmaea certhia
On the left: Mature Brahmaea certhia ssp. porphyria. On the right: Resting fourth or fifth instar of Brahmaea certhia.
Description
Brahmaea certhia's wingspan is roughly 100 millimetres, and its wings have a pattern of wavy parallel lines, which most likely assist with camouflage, particularly on tree bark.
Females might have wider rows of parallel fasciae in the hindwings and might have less pronounced antennae, while males have slightly wider antennae.
Brahmaea certhia is known to have five instar stages, and their larva will often make noise when disturbed, making a sound akin to a squeak or chirp.
Instar stages one to three have elongated "horns" on their body. The third instar is mostly a tan colour with a violet hue on its back, and the twist in the scoli is very prominent in this stage.
The fourth and fifth instar larvae lose their elongated scoli and develop false eyespots on the dorsal surface of the thoracic segments. When disturbed, larvae of the fourth and fifth instar stage assume a defensive posture, accentuating the eyespots, and wave their head and thoracic segments back and forth as if to strike.
Mature larvae descend host stems and form relatively smooth pupae with very short cremasters.
Distribution, Habitat and Diet
The Sino-Tibetan is found in subtropical and tropical zones from the Korean Peninsula to China, and in Indonesia.
The larvae are known to feed on privet, Fraxinus mandschurica, Syringa amurensis, Ligustrum obtusifolium and probably other Ligustrum species. All of these flowering plants are part of the Oleaceae family.
Japanese Owl Moth - Brahmaea japonica
On the left: Mature Brahmaea japonica. On the right: Larva of Brahmaea japonica.
Description
The wingspan of Brahmaea japonica is 80 to 115 millimetres. Male Japanese owl moths are typically smaller than the females. The wings are broad with a rounded outer edge. The background of the wings has a brown to black colour. The wing pattern has concentric alternating wavy light and dark lines at the root and in the distal half of the wings, as well as a sinuous marginal border. Antennae pinnate, with two pairs of outgrowths on each segment. In females, these outgrowths are much shorter.
Distribution, Habitat and Diet
Brahmaea japonica inhibits the temperate climate of Japan and Northeast China. Caterpillars feed on plants of the genus privet and other members of the Oleaceae family.
Southeast-Asian Owl Moth - Brahmaea wallichii
On the left: Mature Brahmaea wallichii. On the right: Larva of Brahmaea wallichii.
Description
Brahmaea wallichii is a moth from the family of the Brahmin moths, and one of its largest species with a wingspan of about 90 to 160 millimetres. The moth has well-developed eye spots and a characteristic pattern of black to brown coloured stripes on the front of its wings. The light-brown margins of the back wings display small triangular white spots. The robust body is also black and brown, with characteristic orange-brown stripes.
Distribution, Habitat and Diet
Southeast-Asian owl moths occur in both tropical and temperate forests in northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, Taiwan, and Japan.
The larvae of Brahmaea wallichii feed on Fraxinus excelsior, Ligustrum and common lilac. In captivity, they might also feed on elderberry. Additionally, they can neutralise plant toxins produced by Ligustrum.
Behaviour
The owl moth is a nocturnal species. So the moths are active at night, while during the daytime, they rest with their wings outspread on tree trunks or the ground. When disturbed, the moth does not fly away, but instead, fiercely shakes.
My emotional support moths are back! Hooray!!!! :D
Brahmaea wallichii (Owl Moth)
"_ESI6459 Brahmaea wallichii insulata" by papilioshih is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Brahmaea wallichii
1. Brahmaea wallichii - Owl moth
2. Brahmaea certhia - Sino-Korean owl moth
3. Brahmaea hearseyi
4. Brahmaea japonica - Japanese owl moth
Family: Brahmaeidae
Brahmaea wallichii
