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.
argema, mimosae, african, moon, moth, giant, silk, moth, family, saturniidae, similar, appearance, giant, madagascan, moon, moth, argema, mittrei, smaller, this, moth, found, widely, eastern, africa, more, locally, southern, africa, including, near, east, coas. 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 African moon moth Adult female Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Insecta Order Lepidoptera Family Saturniidae Genus Argema Species A mimosae Binomial name Argema mimosae Boisduval 1847 1 Synonyms Saturnia mimosae Boisduval 1847 Argema bouvieri Ghesquiere 1934 Argema elucidata Grunberg 1910 Argema occidentalis Gschwandner 1923 Contents 1 Identification 2 Biology 3 Habitat 4 ReferencesIdentification editIt is emerald green with yellow and red eyespots on its wings It has long hindwings giving the appearance of tails Larvae are green with thin white bands and rows of long projections on the back The cocoons are silvery and pitted with small holes Biology editLarvae feed on corkwood Commiphora marula Sclerocarya birrea and tamboti Spirostachys africana 2 Habitat editIn southern Africa especially subtropical bushveld there are two broods per year nbsp Adult female nbsp Adult maleReferences edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Argema mimosae nbsp Wikispecies has information related to Argema mimosae De Prins J amp De Prins W 2018 Argema mimosae Boisduval 1847 Afromoths Retrieved 15 November 2018 Argema mimosae Boisduval 1847 African Moths Archived from the original on 14 July 2014 Retrieved 27 October 2016 nbsp This article on a moth of the family Saturniidae is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Argema mimosae amp oldid 1174261339, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
