In fact, the genus “ Argema” means “speckled eye” in greek. One of the most striking features of the Argema mittrei is the large eyespots on the upper and lower part of the Moth’s wings. See all of our entertaining and insightful animal articles. Another key difference is that the male Moth has long, feathery antennas while the female antenna is significantly thinner. The male Madagascan moon moth has a wingspan of about 20 cm (7.9 inches), while the tail span measures about 15 cm (5.9 inches). Females are typically smaller than males. In terms of size, Comet moths are among the largest silk moth species in the world.

These colors and intricate patterns help keep the insect camouflaged during the day. The large wings of the comet Moth come in vibrant colors of red and yellow. The name comet moth was given to this insect in reference to their long tails, one of their most striking features. The species was first identified and described in 1847 by Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville. The comet moth is also known as the Madagascan moon moth since it is naturally found in the rainforests of Madagascar in Africa. Some of the largest moths in the world belong to this family, including species like emperor moths, giant silk moths, and royal moths. It belongs to the family of Saturniidae, which contains an estimated 2,300 described species of moths. Comet Moth Species, Types, and Scientific NameĬomet Moth is the common name of Arkema mittrei, an insect that shares the order Lepidoptera with other butterflies and moths. The male Moth’s lifespan is a meager 4 – 5 days, whereas the females can last 7 – 10 days. The tail length of the male Moth is up to 15 cm, and the wingspan is about 20 cm wide. The rainforest areas of Madagascar are the natural habitat of the Moth, and they mainly feed on the nectar of the host plants. Madagascan moon moth is another name for Comet Moth, scientifically known as Argema mittrei, and is among the largest species of wild silk moths. Comet moths don’t eat – the adult moth only lives for about 4 – 5 days.