Orizaba Silkmoth (Rothschildia orizaba)

25 January 2009, Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica My specific identification is tentative. Corrections are welcome. This large 5.5" moth was attracted to the lights inside the lodge. The white arrow-shaped markings are formed a areas that are missing the tiny colored scales which form the rest of the wing pattern. These areas are transparent and the white color in this photo is the wall and shadow from the flash I used. Adults are said to be unable to feed because they lack functioning mouthparts. They live as adults just to breed and survive for only a few days. The Aztecs reportedly made paper out of the cocoons. Panasonic Lumix LZ5