Insect · GBIF taxon 1867014
Madagascan Moon Moth
Argema mittreiAlso known as Comet Moth
Madagascan moon moths boast extraordinary yellow and red wings trailing tail streamers that can exceed fifteen centimeters in length. Emerging without functional mouthparts, adults exist purely to reproduce during a fleeting four-to-five-day adult life, guided at night by the male's large feather-like antennae. Distinct eyespots on both pairs of wings mimic the gaze of potential predators, helping protect these magnificent insects as they hang motionless among rainforest foliage.
NocturnalMothRainforest
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Eucalyptus leaves
- Eugenia leaves
- Weinmannia leaves
Predators
- Bats
- Birds
- Lizards
ThreatsDeforestation, habitat destruction, and illegal collection for insect trade
HabitatsPrimary rainforests and humid lowland woodland
Life spanAdults live 4 to 5 days
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilySaturniidae
- SpeciesArgema mittrei
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by bright yellow wings, large eyespots, and remarkably long hindwing tails.
- Support conservation
- Observe without disturbing or capturing wild individuals, and support habitat conservation efforts.
Responsible observation
- Light Attractant: Males are attracted to light sources during nighttime hours.
- Gentle Distance: Avoid handling these delicate moths, as fragile wing scales rub off easily.
Host Plant (c) Greg Tasney, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Greg Tasney · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Wynand Uys, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative "Lovely luna moth at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery" by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Family Relative "Live Canvas - Atlas Moth" by vipin baliga is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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