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Rescued giant moths emerge from cocoons in Mexico's sprawling capital

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Rescued giant moths emerge from cocoons in Mexico's sprawling capital
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News

Rescued giant moths emerge from cocoons in Mexico's sprawling capital

2025-05-30 11:03 Last Updated At:11:21

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Two moths the size of a hand, their wings patterned with brown and pink around four translucent sections, mate for hours hanging from a line alongside cocoons like the ones they emerged from just hours earlier.

“When I get here and find this, I jump with delight,” said María Eugenia Díaz Batres, who has been caring for insects at the Museum of Natural History and Environmental Culture in Mexico City for nearly six decades.

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CORRECTS BUTTERFLIES TO MOTHS - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, adjusts cocoons of moths hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLIES TO MOTHS - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, adjusts cocoons of moths hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLY TO MOTH - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, looks at a moth emerging from a cocoon while hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLY TO MOTH - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, looks at a moth emerging from a cocoon while hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLIES TO MOTHS - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, touches cocoons of moths hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLIES TO MOTHS - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, touches cocoons of moths hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLIES TO MOTHS - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, looks at cocoons of moths hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLIES TO MOTHS - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, looks at cocoons of moths hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLY TO MOTH - A moth emerges from a cocoon while hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLY TO MOTH - A moth emerges from a cocoon while hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

The mating pair of “four mirrors” moths as they’re popularly known in Mexico, or scientifically as Rothschildia orizaba, are evidence that the museum’s efforts to save some 2,600 cocoons rescued from an empty lot were worth the trouble.

The moths, whose numbers have fallen in Mexico City due to urbanization, have cultural relevance in Mexico.

“The Aztecs called them the ‘butterfly of obsidian knives,’ Itzpapalotl,” Díaz Batres said. “And in northern Mexico they'd fill many of these cocoons with little stones and put them on their ankles for dances.”

These cocoons arrived at the museum in late December.

“They gave them to us in a bag and in a box, all squeezed together with branches and leaves, so my first mission was to take them out, clean them,” Díaz Batres said.

Mercedes Jiménez, director of the museum in the capital's Chapultepec park, said that’s when the real adventure began since they had never received anything like this before.

Díaz Batres had the cocoons hung in any place she thought they might do well, including her office where they hang from lines crisscrossing above her table. It has allowed her to watch each stage of their development closely.

The moths only survive for a week or two as adults, but they give Díaz Batres tremendous satisfaction, especially when she arrives at her office and new moths “are at the door, on the computer."

So she tries to help them “complete their mission” and little by little their species recovers.

CORRECTS BUTTERFLIES TO MOTHS - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, adjusts cocoons of moths hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLIES TO MOTHS - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, adjusts cocoons of moths hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLY TO MOTH - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, looks at a moth emerging from a cocoon while hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLY TO MOTH - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, looks at a moth emerging from a cocoon while hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLIES TO MOTHS - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, touches cocoons of moths hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLIES TO MOTHS - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, touches cocoons of moths hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLIES TO MOTHS - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, looks at cocoons of moths hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLIES TO MOTHS - Maria Eugenia Diaz Batres, a biologist, looks at cocoons of moths hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLY TO MOTH - A moth emerges from a cocoon while hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

CORRECTS BUTTERFLY TO MOTH - A moth emerges from a cocoon while hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — The stars are out for the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards, which honor movies, television and podcasts.

The first major ceremony of awards season has a reputation for its partylike atmosphere and for drawing a mashup of television and film stars. It also is known as a major fashion showcase.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

For more coverage of the 2026 Golden Globes, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/golden-globe-awards

Miley Cyrus arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Miley Cyrus arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Amanda Anka, left, and Jason Bateman arrive at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Amanda Anka, left, and Jason Bateman arrive at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Paul Mescal arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Paul Mescal arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Kathy Bates arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Kathy Bates arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Joe Keery arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Joe Keery arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Jacob Elordi arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jacob Elordi arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Nikki Glaser arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Nikki Glaser arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Kristen Bell arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Kristen Bell arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Ariana Grande arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Ariana Grande arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Robin Wright arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Robin Wright arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Audrey Nuna arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Audrey Nuna arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jake Lacy arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jake Lacy arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Kevin O'Leary arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Kevin O'Leary arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jennifer Garner arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jennifer Garner arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Miles Caton arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Miles Caton arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jackie Tohn arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jackie Tohn arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Priyanka Chopra Jonas arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Priyanka Chopra Jonas arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jacobi Jupe arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jacobi Jupe arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Maura Higgins arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Maura Higgins arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Audrey Nuna arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Audrey Nuna arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Li Jun Li arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Li Jun Li arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Natasha Rothwell arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Natasha Rothwell arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Lisa arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Lisa arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Luke Grimes arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Luke Grimes arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Snoop Dogg arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Snoop Dogg arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Haley Kalil arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Haley Kalil arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Derek Hough arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Derek Hough arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Justine Lupe arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Justine Lupe arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Gayle King arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Gayle King arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Laufey arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Laufey arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Cole Walliser arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Cole Walliser arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Lisa arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Lisa arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Sheryl Lee Ralph arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Sheryl Lee Ralph arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Maura Higgins arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Maura Higgins arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

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