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.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Madagascan Moon Moth being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Saturniidae
- Genus
- Argema
- Species
- Argema mittrei
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