The largest butterfly in Southeast Asia appears in people's houses

Over the past two days, many curious people came to Pham Thi Nhu Thao's house in Tam Phuoc commune, Phu Ninh district (Quang Nam) to see firsthand a large butterfly with wingspan of nearly 50 cm.

In the morning of July 31, Thao discovered in front of the garden that there was a colorful butterfly, wingspan of nearly 50 cm, measuring nearly 3 hands.

"A few years ago, I have seen this butterfly appear in the garden, on the field, but this is the first time there is such a large size child," Thao said.

Butterfly Carambola - Southeast Asia's largest known butterfly species appears in the region
Thao's garden is in Tam Phuoc commune, Phu Ninh district (Quang Nam). Photo: Tri Tin

Many people in Tam Phuoc commune said that this is Butterfly Khe species, which appeared occasionally in the locality but in recent years, it is sparse and rarely seen.

Based on the characteristics, sizes and colors of butterflies appearing in Thao's garden, scientists also identified this as Butterfly Khe - the largest moth of Vietnam and in the world. This butterfly is increasingly rare due to changing environments or the effects of pesticides.

Currently, butterflies are included in the Vietnam Red Book, a list of endangered animals at risk needs to be protected.

The scientific name of Butterfly Khac is Attacus atlas Linnaeus 1758, Saturnia atlas Linnaeus , Saturniidae moth family of Lepidoptera . There have been no reports of butterflies causing harm to crops and trees.

Butterflies of many attractive colors are very popular in collections.