A silkworm moth resting in a village in the Amazon forest

The silkworm moth Colla rhodope is a fascinating insect in the family Bombycidae, first described in 1782. It is especially notable for its ghostly, translucent appearance, remarkable camouflage, and close relationship to the commercially exploited silkworm. When resting with its wings folded, it can look uncannily like a fragment of dead wood, bark, or leaf litter, making its disguise highly effective. I spotted this unusual moth resting during the day in the bathroom of a lodge where I was staying while visiting Yasuní National Park in December 2023.

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