A groundbreaking event has taken place at the Museum of Natural History and Environmental Culture in Mexico City, where a pair of large moths successfully mated just hours after hatching. The “four mirrors” moths, scientifically known as Rothschildia orizaba, are a sight to behold due to their striking wings adorned with a mosaic of brown and pink around four translucent sections.
This remarkable achievement is a testament to the museum’s conservation efforts, which have been instrumental in rescuing 2,600 cocoons from an empty lot. The emergence and mating of these moths indicate that the project has been successful in preserving this species, whose population has declined due to increasing urbanisation in Mexico City.
The moths hold significant cultural importance in the region, with the Aztecs referring to them as “Itzpapalotl” or the “butterfly of obsidian knives.” In northern Mexico, these cocoons were traditionally used in dances, where small stones would be placed inside and worn on the ankles.
According to María Eugenia Díaz Batres, a dedicated insect caregiver who has spent nearly six decades at the museum, witnessing this event brings her immense joy. “When I get here and find this, I jump with delight,” she said.
The cocoons arrived at the museum in late December, and Díaz Batres began by carefully cleaning and preparing them for incubation. With no prior experience handling such a large quantity of cocoons, Director Mercedes Jiménez described the moment as the beginning of a new adventure.
Díaz Batres has been closely monitoring each stage
Source: The Independent
