Man finds largest moth in world in his garden

KANDY - The largest moth in the world - known as the Atlas moth (Attacus Atlas) – has been discovered in Ambagamuwa, Ginigathhena, Sri Lanka, by Assistant Maintenance Engineer of Hotel Topaz and the Tourmaline (Kandy), Lakshman Kumara.

The male Atlas was discovered on June 22, 2013 by, Kumara in the garden of his residence in Ambagamuwa, Ginigathhena. The next morning, Kumara discovered a pair of male moths in the same location.

The Atlas moth is found in the jungles of South-East Asia, particularly in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.

Kumara told ‘Ceylon Today’ this was the first time he had discovered the Atlas moth in his garden.

"I have always been interested in nature and enjoy taking photographs of the natural world. This is the first time I came across the Atlas moth in my home garden," Kumara said.

Kumara narrated the tale of his fascinating discovery. He said when he went out into his garden that day; he had seen this moth perched on a branch of a tree.

"Upon closer inspection I realised that this was the Atlas moth, which is known to be the largest moth in the world. I proceeded to consult other environmentalists, who confirmed this was indeed the Atlas moth," Kumara related.

He added the end-to-end wing length of the moth that he saw was over 10 inches.

According to research, the adult Atlas moth has a wingspan of one foot (30 cm) and is so big that it is often mistaken for a small bird when flying. The cocoon of the Atlas moth looks like a piece of fruit hanging from a tree.

This moth uses the markings on its back, which bear resemblance to a snake, to scare predators away. Interestingly, the insect consumes food only while in its larval stages, as the adult moth has no mouth and therefore, cannot eat.

The Atlas moth can be recognised by the distinctive translucent patches on its wings.

In caterpillar form, the moth is a soft yellow-green in colour and has many long fleshy spines. Also, Atlas moths are unsteady fliers; therefore, the female does not stray far from her discarded chrysalis.

Croc meat a delicacy in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO - Eating and selling of crocodile flesh of both species the Saltwater and Mugger was becoming a trend in most parts of the country, country’s leading herpetologist, Anslem de Silva said.

De Silva, who is now conducting a countrywide survey on the two species, says that in the Western Province, especially in areas surrounding the Bolgoda Lake area, crocodile flesh was sold on and off. The business was on in other parts of the country as well.

De Silva said that a kilo of crocodile flesh fetched between Rs400 and Rs500.

"Interestingly and strangely, despite being protected under the Fauna and Flora Act, consumption of these species continues," he added.

According to the herpetologist, his studies have found that usually crocodiles weighing between 50 and 60kg are targeted. When questioned, some consumers had said that crocodile meat was not only a delicacy but highly nutritious.

Background check compulsory for migrant workers

It would be made compulsory for female workers to submit a report on their family background before leaving for overseas jobs, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said yesterday (24).

SLBFE Deputy General Manager and Media Spokesman Mangala Randeniya told ‘The Island’ that the female workers should submit a report on their family background, which should be certified by the SLBFE before they leave for overseas jobs.

Accordingly, an official affiliated to the SLBFE will be appointed to verify the accuracy of details provided by Grama Niladari and submit a comprehensive report.

The report provides the information about the house maid’s children, their protection and many other important facts.

The SLBFE authorities would specially inspect whether the female worker was a mother and if so, whether she could put her children in safe hands during her absence, he said.

Social organisations and various other parties had expressed their views and made proposals on the aftermath on the society when a female worker goes abroad, Randeniya said adding that the decision was taken after studying those proposals in order to minimize the sufferings to the dependents of such female workers.

"SLBFE has taken the decision to prevent the female workers, who have too many domestic issues, from going overseas," he added.

Randeniya further pointed out that only the licensed agencies could provide jobs for females and that too, only after the background report was submitted.

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