Comet moth
Adult male
Adult female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Saturniidae
Genus: Argema
Species:
A. mittrei
Binomial name
Argema mittrei
Synonyms
  • Argemma mittrei
  • Saturnia cometes Boisduval, 1847
  • Tropaea madagascariensis Bartlett, 1873
  • Actias idae Felder & Rogenhofer, 1874
  • Cometes madagascariensis
  • Actias mittrei
  • Bombyx mittrei Guérin-Méneville, 1847
  • Argema cometes (Guenée, 1865)
  • Argema idae (Felder, 1874)
  • Argema immaculata (Bang-Haas, 1934)
  • Argema madagascariensis (Barlett, 1873)[2]

The comet moth or Madagascan moon moth (Argema mittrei).[3] is a moth native to the rain forests of Madagascar. The species was first described by Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville in 1847. 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.[4]

Physical features

There are physical differences among females and males. Females have more rounded wings. 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 males have long, feathery antennas and the females have thin antennas. Argema mittrei wings have large eyespot, giving the appearance of a large and dangerous creature that should not be attacked.[5]

Host plants

Host plants include the genus Eugenia and Weinmannia, as well as Eucalyptus gunnii and Liquidambar.[6] Other host plants they are reared to are Eugenia cuneifolia, Sclerocarya birrea, Weinmania eriocampa, Rhus cotinus, Schinus terebinthifolia, and Schinus molle.[7] Additional host plants are Cotinus coggygria, Eucalyptus gunnii, Malosma laurina, Pistacia terebinthus, Pistacia lentiscus, Rhus copallinum, Rhus typhina, Schinus molle, Schinus terebinthifolius, Toxicodendron pubescens, Mimosa species and Liquidambar styraciflua.[8]

Cocoon

The adult moth lays 100 to 150 eggs. The caterpillar has the unique ability to spin a silk cocoon. The pupa is a life stage where some insects undergo transformation between immature and mature stages.[9]

Pupa

The pupa is enclosed in a grayish-white cocoon that resembles a sac. The cocoon has drainage holes so rainwater can escape.[10]

Silk production

Argema mittrei produces natural silk cocoons. For Argema mittrei, the cocoon has a silvery color with a rough and compact opening at one end.

Ultrasound

Moths and bats have been in a coevolutionary arms race due to bats developing echolocation. However, moths have developed methods to avoid detection from the echolocation cries of bats and to promote survival once detected. For Argema mittrei, they have the ability to use ultrasound absorption so that the bat will receive a dampened echo, making the moth invisible to the bat. Using ultrasound absorption is Argema mittrei main defensive function. It also has other defensive roles such as crypsis, aposematism, or mimicry.[11] It also has a striking long, red and yellow tail which is used in defense against attackers.[12]

References

  1. ↑ De Prins, J. & De Prins, W. (2018). "Argema mittrei (Guérin-Méneville, 1847)". Afromoths. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Argema mittrei Guérin-Meneville, 1846". gbif.org. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Comet moth". The Magic of Life Butterfly House. Aberystwyth: The Magic of Life Trust. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  4. ↑ Rollison, Emily; Thackston, James (2003). "Argema mittrei". Clemson University Arthropod Collection. Clemson University. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  5. ↑ "Comet Moth (Argema mittrei)". Moth Identification. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  6. ↑ "Argema mittrei, Madagascar Moon Moth or Giant Comet Moth". Reiman Gardens. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  7. ↑ "Comet Moth (Argema mittrei)". Moth Identification. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  8. ↑ Papillon-comète de Madagascar (Argema mittrei) Archived 2017-04-11 at the Wayback Machine (in French)
  9. ↑ "Spotlight: the Madagascan moon moth". NationalHistoryMuseum. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  10. ↑ "Comet Moth (Argema mittrei)". Moth Identification. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  11. ↑ "The anti-bat strategy of ultrasound absorption: the wings of nocturnal moths (Bombycoidea: Saturniidae) absorb more ultrasound than the wings of diurnal moths (Chalcosiinae: Zygaenoidea: Zygaenidae)". The Company of Biologists Ltd. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  12. ↑ "Spotlight: the Madagascan moon moth". NationalHistoryMuseum. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
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