The comet moth or Madagascan moon moth (Argema mittrei) is a moth native to the rain forests of Madagascar.
The species was first described by Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville in 1847.
The male has a wingspan of 20 cm (7.9 inches) and a tail span of 15 cm (5.9 inches), making it one of the world's largest silk moths. The female lays from 120 to 170 eggs, and after hatching, the larvae feed on Eugenia and Weinmannia leaves for approximately two months before pupating. The cocoon has numerous holes to keep the pupa from drowning in the daily rains of its natural habitat. The adult moth cannot feed and only lives for 4 to 5 days. Although endangered in the wild due to habitat loss, the comet moth has been bred in captivity with great success.
Latin Name:
Argema mittrei
Quality:
A1
Sex:
Male
Distribution:
Madagascar
Frame Size:
8 x 12 inch
Please Be Aware:
The specimen that you will receive may differ in size, shape or colour very slightly since you are purchasing a natural product.
Where do we source our insect specimens?
All of our specimens are purchased from conservation farming projects. Please visit our ethics pages in the menu for details on the type of projects we work with.