Argema mimosae
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~30%
Argema mimosae, the African moon moth, is a giant silk moth of the family Saturniidae. Similar in appearance to the giant Madagascan moon moth (Argema mittrei), but smaller, this moth can be found widely in Eastern Africa and more locally in Southern Africa, including near the east coast of South Africa. The species was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1847. An adult can measure 10 to 12 centimetres (3.9 to 4.7 in) across its wingspan and 12 to 14 centimetres (4.7 to 5.5 in) from head to the tip of its elongated tail-like second pair of wings. Its forward wings have a distinctive grey-coloured "furry" leading edge, giving a very rough surface, presumably for aerodynamic reasons. Apart from the eye-like markings on its wings, the colouring and shape of the wings give the appearance of a piece of foliage, especially the tail-like structures of the rearmost wings which resemble a dried out leaf stem - presumably for camouflage in its natural environment. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | iSimangaliso Wetland Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report an African Moon Moth sighting in iSimangaliso Wetland Park on a given day, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 239th most-seen of the 316 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 30%, if each day is a fresh chance.
February, April and December
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report an African Moon Moth in iSimangaliso Wetland Park on a given day, against under 5% in January, March and May–November, the lowest months. Those are among iSimangaliso Wetland Park's wettest months, with about 100 mm of rain a month against 30 mm in July.
Between 4 and 7 am
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most African Moon Moth sightings with a recorded time, and about 7 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is most active around dawn and dusk.
Yes
Of the 2 parks where we can rate African Moon Moth sightings, iSimangaliso Wetland Park has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Kruger National Park (South Africa, about 10%).
Same family: Saturniidae
The closest relatives of the African Moon Moth that you can see in iSimangaliso Wetland Park (family Saturniidae, Emperor and Giant Silk Moths) are Cavorting Emperor (about 10%), Gold Marbled Emperor (about 10%) and Delegorgue's Prince (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the African Moon Moth is recorded against all the insects logged in iSimangaliso Wetland Park (6 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
