Australia is known for its super-sized wildlife — and recently, one Queensland school got a jaw-dropping reminder.
While building an addition near the edge of the rainforest, construction workers at Mount Cotton State School came across something that left them speechless: a moth the size of a rat.
It wasn’t a prank. It was a real insect — the giant wood moth, officially the heaviest moth in the world.
“We’re used to all kinds of animals wandering through our school,” said principal Meagan Steward. “We’ve seen bush turkeys, wallabies, koalas, ducks, even the occasional snake that needs to be relocated. But a giant wood moth? That was a first.”
The massive moth had been perfectly camouflaged against a nearby building, blending in so well that it nearly went unnoticed. But once spotted, she quickly became the talk of the campus.
According to the Queensland Museum, female giant wood moths can have a wingspan of up to 10 inches and weigh as much as two finches. Much of that bulk comes from the 20,000 eggs they carry, which are laid in the bark of trees.
Dr. Christine Lambkin, head of entomology at the Queensland Museum, explained that these moths may be big, but they’re not built for long flights. “The females are so heavy that they usually just crawl up trees and wait for a mate,” she said. Males, by comparison, are about half their size.
Despite being native to the Queensland coast, giant wood moths are rarely seen. Their expert camouflage allows them to blend seamlessly into tree trunks, making sightings a rare thrill — even for locals.
After snapping a few incredible photos, the construction crew gently moved the moth back to a nearby tree at the rainforest’s edge. There, she could rest — and maybe attract a male moth passing by.
While she didn’t stay long, this super-sized visitor left behind a big impression and a great story for the students and staff.
