DISTRIBUTION: The Argema mittrei moth flies in southern Madagascar, with sightings in other regions of Madagascar also. It is honoured on a Central Africa Republic stamp, but it may be only be present on Madagascar? This large moth has a forewing length of 95-98mm, and the hindwing to the end of the tail can measure up to 185mm. Females have tails wider but much shorter than those of the males. FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS: In its natural setting this species feeds on Eucalyptus gunnii (Cider gum - introduced species), Eugenia cuneifolia (Stopper/Waterbloom), Mimosa, Uapaca (Wild loquat), Weinmannia eriorcampa. Other accepted food plants are Rhus copallina (Dwarf/Winged sumac), R.laurina (Laurel sumac), R. typhina (Staghorn sumac), R. toxicodendron (Poison ivy), Schinus molle (California peppertree), S. terebinthefolius (Brazil peppertree).

Serge Yevdoshenko reports success rearing larvae on Cotinus coggygria, Eurasian Smoketree.

Bouvier transfered this moth to its own genus, Cometesia in 1928, but it is still most often treated as an Argema species.

ECLOSION:

This species follows a very irregular pattern. In captivity, unless there are large numbers of cocoons available, it is unusual to have males and females out at the same time.

Ben Kubbinga writes, "I was told by several entomologists in Madagascar and also outside (David Lees), that the moths have been and are still found in all regions of the country (including Maroantsetra, Diego-Suarez, Fianarantsoa (where it is quite common), Tulear and Mahajanga). According to Andre Peyrieras, a French entomologist who lives in Antananarivo, there is a difference between comet-tailes found in forest and those outside: the forest ones being bigger than the others."

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in males by emitting air-bourne pheromones at night. Most report that it is very difficult to obtain pairings with these moths in anything less than natural surroundings and sometimes large flight cages are provided. The males have much longer "tails" than the females do. Males begin to report to lights at approximately 2:00 am so that is probably the calling time of the females

Photo of male courtesy of Scott Smith.

It seems that pairings are attainable in small cages with repeated success if the insects are given total darkness and are left undisturbed in peace and quiet during the late evening and early hours of the morning. The report represents the third natural pairing in less than a week. The male has encircled the female's abdomen with all pairs of legs - this position was taken up by all three mating males."

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are off-white, oval and slightly flattened dorsally. Larvae extricate themselves by chewing holes through one side of the eggs. The larvae have a "red saddle" in the first instar.

Egg and first instar images courtesy of Scott Smith.

Larvae of this species get enormous, approaching six inches (15 cm) in length with a diameter of one inch (2.5 cm). Alan Marson has recorded cocoon/pupa weights of up to 26 grams. Larva image by Chris Conlan. Cocoons are white and airy and hang from branches by a strong peduncle.

Elongated body hairs are more readily visible in this image of a fifth instar larva. Photo courtesy of Leroy Simon

Photo by Andrew Spicer.

Images courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Argema mittrei, third instar on Liquidambar, courtesy of Ian Surman, via handpairing.

Argema mittrei, fourth instar, courtesy of Ian Surman.

Visit Argema mittrei male, female, cocoons and larva, courtesy of Patrick Basquin.

Visit Argema mittrei male and females courtesy of Bart Coppens.

Larval Food Plants

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Cotinus coggygria (Serge Yevdoshenko) Eucalyptus gunnii Eugenia cuneifolia Liquidambar (Ian Surman) Mimosa Uapaca Weinmannia eriorcampa Rhus copallina R.laurina R. typhina R. toxicodendron Schinus molle Schinus terebinthefolius......

Eurasian smoketree Cider gum Stopper/Waterbloom Sweetgum Mimosa Wild loquat Weinmannia eriorcampa Dwarf/Winged sumac Laurel sumac Staghorn sumac Poison ivy California peppertree Brazil peppertree

Return to Argema Genus

Return to Main Saturniidae Index

The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

Some of the early describers/namers chose genus and species names indicating some character of the insect, but more often, they simply chose names from Greek or Roman mythology or history.

Those species names which end in "ensis" indicate a specimen locale, and those which end in "i", pronounced "eye", honour a contempory friend/collector/etc.

The genus name comes from the Greek word 'argema", meaning a cataract in the eye. This is probably meant to be descriptive of the thick rings around the eyespots of these moths.

The species name "mittrei", is probably honourific for for Mittre.

1500m, Date de la prise de vue : 29/11/2006