What is this big creature ?

[Pagey]

Spotted this big 'creature' hanging on a banana plant leaf in my garden. Is it a butterfly, moth or what ? Never seen anything so large. Presumably it's not dangerous

phpXoUKCyPM.jpg (29.86 KiB) Viewed 2908 times

[Big Boy]

No idea what it is, but it's beautiful.

[Pagey]

It's flown away now, I got a bit close trying to measure the leaf which is 8 inches from the centre to the outside edge.

[dtaai-maai]

It's Lyssa Zampa, the tropical swallowtail moth

Tropical-Swallowtail-Moth-01.jpg (14.64 KiB) Viewed 2892 times

[Pagey]

OK, Thanks DM. I've just googled it but not learnt a lot.

[HHTel]

Used to see them quite regularly when I lived in Takiab. They are HUGE. Certainly the biggest moth I've ever seen. But of course, completely harmless.

Thanks for the name DM.

[STEVE G]

But of course, completely harmless.....

We used to get them up in Issan and the caterpillars can make a fair old lunch out of some trees.

[PeteC]

But of course, completely harmless.....

We used to get them up in Issan and the caterpillars can make a fair old lunch out of some trees.

Indeed. I wasn't going to say it for fear of offending some. If you like to grow things, especially fruit trees, flowering bushes and vegetables...spray every damn butterfly you see as all they do is look pretty, lay eggs and then the larvae eat everything in sight. I had a bush stripped last night by the big green caterpillars with eyes (some kind of grey moth we posted about before) and the bush (6 years old) will probably now die. Butterflies are way over rated! Pete

[HHTel]

Maybe I should have made it clear. I meant harmless to humans! Yes like other caterpillars (prior to being a moth) they will eat vegetation.

[davefranco]

Seems butter fly to me.