Argema mimosae

African Moon Moth
Adult female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Saturniidae
Genus:	Argema
Species:	A. mimosae
Binomial name
Argema mimosae (Boisduval, 1847)

The African moon moth (Argema mimosae) 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. 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.

Identification

Emerald green with yellow and red eyespots on wings. Long tail and hindwing. Larva are green with thin white bands and rows of long projections on back. The cocoons are silvery and pitted with small holes.

Biology

Larvae feed on corkwood (Commiphora), marula (Sclerocarya birrea) and tamboti (Spirostachys africana)

Habitat

In Southern Africa, especially subtropical bushveld. There are 2 broods in the southern parts of its range

• 

  Adult female

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  Adult male