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Madagascan Moon Moth
Argema mittrei
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumArthropoda (Arthropods)
- ClassInsecta (Insects)
- OrderLepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- FamilySaturniidae (Emperor and Giant Silk Moths)
- GenusArgema (African Moon Moths)
- SpeciesArgema mittrei (Madagascan Moon Moth)
In 3 days ~80% in a week >90%
35 Verified sightings at Ranomafana National Park From 2019 to 2026
44 In all 2 parks
February Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted
About the Madagascan Moon Moth
The comet moth or Madagascan moon moth (Argema mittrei) 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. The genus name Argema is Greek for "speckled eye" referencing the abundance of eyespots on their wings, warding off predators.
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 antennae and the females have thin antennae. Argema mittrei wings have large eyespots, giving the appearance of a large and dangerous creature that should not be attacked.
Host plants include the genus Eugenia and Weinmannia, as well as Eucalyptus gunnii and Liquidambar. Other host plants they are reared to are Eugenia cuneifolia, Sclerocarya birrea, Weinmania eriocampa, Rhus cotinus, Schinus terebinthifolia, and Schinus molle. Additional... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Madagascan Moon Moth in Ranomafana National Park
LIVEiNaturalistGlobal Distribution
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ranomafana National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar | |
| 2 | Mantadia National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar |
Closest Relatives at Ranomafana National Park
Before you go
What are the chances of seeing a Madagascan Moon Moth in Ranomafana National Park?
Likely
About 50% of wildlife watchers report a Madagascan Moon Moth sighting in Ranomafana National Park on a given day, based on 35 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 3rd most-seen of the 68 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 80%, and over a week to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.
When is the best time to see a Madagascan Moon Moth in Ranomafana National Park?
February
In that month about 70% of wildlife watchers report a Madagascan Moon Moth in Ranomafana National Park on a given day, against about 30% in October, the lowest month. That is one of Ranomafana National Park's wettest months, with about 430 mm of rain against 80 mm in September.
What time of day is best to see a Madagascan Moon Moth?
Between 6 and 9 am
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Madagascan Moon Moth sightings with a recorded time, and about 8 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Is Ranomafana National Park the best place to see a Madagascan Moon Moth?
Yes
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Madagascan Moon Moth sightings, Ranomafana National Park has the highest daily chance: about 50%. Next come Mantadia National Park (Madagascar, about 30%).
Which relatives of the Madagascan Moon Moth live in Ranomafana National Park?
Same family: Saturniidae
The closest relatives of the Madagascan Moon Moth that you can see in Ranomafana National Park (family Saturniidae, Emperor and Giant Silk Moths) are Suraka Silk Moth (about 30%) and Madagascan Emperor Moth (about 30%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
Where does the Madagascan Moon Moth sighting chance come from?
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Madagascan Moon Moth is recorded against all the insects logged in Ranomafana National Park (35 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.
