Comet Moth

Comet moths don’t eat – the adult moth only lives for about 4 – 5 days.

Madagascan moon moth is another name for Comet Moth, scientifically known as Argema mittrei, and is among the largest species of wild silk moths. The rainforest areas of Madagascar are the natural habitat of the Moth, and they mainly feed on the nectar of the host plants. The tail length of the male Moth is up to 15 cm, and the wingspan is about 20 cm wide. Cometh moths have a very short lifespan. The male Moth’s lifespan is a meager 4 – 5 days, whereas the females can last 7 – 10 days. 

Comet Moth Species, Types, and Scientific Name

Comet Moth is the common name of Arkema mittrei, an insect that shares the order Lepidoptera with other butterflies and moths. It belongs to the family of Saturniidae, which contains an estimated 2,300 described species of moths. Some of the largest moths in the world belong to this family, including species like emperor moths, giant silk moths, and royal moths. 

The comet moth is also known as the Madagascan moon moth since it is naturally found in the rainforests of Madagascar in Africa. The species was first identified and described in 1847 by Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville. .

Appearance: How to Identify Comet Moths

The name comet moth was given to this insect in reference to their long tails, one of their most striking features. The large wings of the comet Moth come in vibrant colors of red and yellow. These colors and intricate patterns help keep the insect camouflaged during the day.

In terms of size, Comet moths are among the largest silk moth species in the world. Females are typically smaller than males. 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). Another key difference is that the male Moth has long, feathery antennas while the female antenna is significantly thinner. 

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. In fact, the genus “Argema” means “speckled eye” in greek. These eyespots give the moth the appearance of a much larger and more dangerous creature to predators, which helps to protect the moth from attack. 

Habitat: Where To Find Comet Moth

Comet moths are found naturally in Madagascar and nowhere else in the world. The Comet Moth’s natural habitat is the deepest part of the rainforests. However, they can also be bred in captivity. Comet Moths are quite vulnerable because they depend on certain plants in their habitat. This dependency limits their habitat range to specific locations. 

Today, their habitat is limited to the rainforests located south and east of Madagascar’s capital. Sadly, the species’ survival is currently threatened by slash-and-burn agricultural activities, which are causing the disappearance of the plants the moths feed on. 

Diet: What Do Comet Moths Eat?

The Madagascan Moon Moth only feeds when it is in the caterpillar stage. Females lay eggs that hatch into caterpillars between 10 to 20 days after laying the eggs. The caterpillar spends 2 months in this stage, feeding aggressively. 

What Do Comet Moths Eat?

Eucalyptus leaves are the primary food source for the caterpillars. They may also feed on plants in the Eugenia and Weinmannia genus. Some of their preferred plants include Weinmannia eriocampa, Uapaca species, Sclerocarya caffra, and Eugenia cuneifolia. However, if these plants are unavailable, they may feed on alternatives like the Pistacia terebinthus, Rhus cotinus, and Eucalyptus gunnii. 

The caterpillars feed aggressively on these plants until they fill up their chitin shells tightly, after which they stop to molt. Once the old molt is removed and new skin appears, they’ll resume eating. This procedure is repeated 3 to 4 times within the next two months, allowing the formerly dwarf caterpillars to grow into bright green giant caterpillars.

After the caterpillar develops into an adult moth, the direct feeding stops. The caterpillar already relies on the food it has already eaten for the next few days it’ll live. Although the insect has a mouth, it has evolved not to use it over the centuries. The male moth is only alive for 4-5 days. However, the females usually live longer (about 7 to 10 days) 

What Eats Comet Moths? 

Like all butterflies and moths, Comet moths have several natural enemies. These predators feed on both the caterpillars and adult insects. Chameleons, geckos, bats, and birds feed on the insect as part of their diet. In addition to the colorful camouflage and tails that they use to protect themselves from predators, moths have also evolved an echolocation dampening feature that protects them from insects like bats that use ultrasound for hunting food. A much bigger threat to the existence of comet moths is deforestation, leading to habitat loss in their native land.