Argema mittrei - female
"Giant Comet Moth"
Family: Saturniidae

Argema mittrei. is known as the Comet Moth, which resemble Luna moths, but are much larger. The female has long tails, and a wingspan reaching of over five inches. They are brilliant yellow with huge red eyespots, a 9" wingspan and 8" long red tails wing span 5-6 inches, length 8 ¼ - 9 inches. The female has wider and more ribbon-like tails and is paler in color. Females can lay anywhere from 120 to 170 eggs.

As with all Saturniidae moths, the Giant Comet Moth does all its eating in the larval stage. The adult moth has no mouth so cannot feed. Their cocoon is a magnificent silvery mesh netting which holds the pupa safe and sound. The cocoon has numerous holes that the pupa can be seen through. These holes keep the pupa from drowning in the daily rains in its natural habitat. After emerging as an adult, the females sit and wait on their cocoon for the males to come to them for mating.

This is one of the largest Silk Moths in the entire world and found only in Madagascar, an island off the coast of Africa. It is successfully being reared in captivity.

Emily Rollison
Jim Thackston
Insect Biology & Diversity Fall 2003