BELLEVUE, Wash. – It turns out the Giant Northern Hornet isn’t the only really big invasive insect that’s unique to Washington.
The state Department of Agriculture is asking the public to be on the lookout for the world’s largest moth after one was spotted in Bellevue.
The Atlas moth has never been seen in the United States before, and department entomologists want to know if it’s a fluke or if there is a population that’s made a foothold here.
It has a wingspan of up to 10 inches, and entomologist Sven Spichiger calls it a “gee-whiz type of insect” because of its size.
Atlas moths don’t harm people and are safe to photograph or handle, but they are illegal to import or possess in the U.S.
Go here to submit photos and reports of sightings.
