The rare moth can reach up to 25 centimeters long. The atlas moth has one of the largest wingspans of all butterflies at 0.82 foot. PHOTO BY SHARRON LONG/SWNS
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An incredibly rare moth – one of the largest in the world – has been spotted in a UK garden.
The atlas or emperor moth is native to southeast Asia and UK sightings of the majestic creature are incredibly rare.
It was spotted in a garden in Swindon, Wilts., by grandmother Sharron Long, 58, on Tuesday, June 20.
The atlas moth has one of the largest wingspans of all butterflies at 25 centimeters (0.82 foot) .
Sharron said: “My granddaughter came running out saying that there was something she wanted to show me.
“This had me a bit suspicious at first as they’re always pranking me and jumping out at me as I’m quite a jumpy person.
“Anyways, she took me round the back and there it was on the garden fence, about the same size as my hand!
“I thought they were having me on but knew it was real when I went to touch it and its wing moved.”
She turned to Facebook for advice and added: “Everyone else was just as surprised and shocked as we were.
“Some were helpful, telling us how we could put it into a large box to move it somewhere safer.
“Others however were a bit more scared, telling us to burn the fence down.
“We had to keep an eye on the pigeons as they looked like they wanted a bit of it, but thankfully whilst we were around, it was safe.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
Edited by Saba Fatima and Asad Ali
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