Conservation efforts lead to giant moths emerging in Mexico City

In Mexico City, a significant conservation effort has yielded positive results as giant moths emerge from cocoons at the Museum of Natural History and Environmental Culture. Mara Eugenia Daz Batres, who has worked with insects for nearly sixty years, found two moths—the 'four mirrors' or Rothschildia orizaba—exhibiting vibrant brown and pink patterns as they mated in her office shortly after they emerged from their cocoons. The cocoons themselves, numbering around 2,600, had been rescued from an empty lot in late December, where urbanization had threatened the moths, whose natural habitats are increasingly under pressure. The Aztecs historically revered these moths, dubbing them Itzpapalotl, or the 'butterfly of obsidian knives,' and utilized them in traditional dances. Daz Batres expressed her delight upon witnessing the emergence of the moths and has dedicated herself to ensuring that these creatures fulfill their lifecycle and contribute to the recovery of their species. The challenging rescue, which included cleaning and carefully hanging the cocoons in areas where they would thrive, has sparked hope for the future of Rothschildia orizaba in the bustling urban landscape. The director of the museum, Mercedes Jimenez, reflected on the excitement of receiving such unique specimens, marking a new chapter in the museum's work with local biodiversity and conservation efforts.