Argema mimosae

African Moon Moth

Basic Information

General information

Family: Saturniidae
Sub Family: Saturniinae
Estimated Lifespan 14 Days

Garden Specific Information

Estimated Number In Flight: 0
Total Number of Pupae Received: 621
First Flown On: 09/02/05
Last Flown On: 10/06/23

Species Range:

  • Africa
  • Asia

Host plants:

  • Larvae are known to feed on Sclerocarya caffra
  • Rhus laurina
  • Commiphora mollis
  • and Spirostachys africana.

Food Source

As adults the African Moon Moths do not have functioning moth parts, so they will not feed.

Etymology Of Name

The origin of Argema is currently unknown. Mimosae is the plural form of the word mimosa, a tree also known as the silk tree.

Habitat

African Moon Moths are found in tropical forests in areas where their host plant is present

Life history

At night females release a pheromone into the air. Males flying through the air sense the pheromone and follow it back to the female. The female and male, in some cases, can remain copulated until the next night. Each following night the female searches out host plants on which to lay her eggs.

Flights

There are two generations each year making it possible to see adults for a short time in the spring and fall.

Fun Facts

Females can lay a large number of eggs on a single plant. Considering the large amount of leaf matter each caterpillar consumes they can do a significant amount of damage to a plant. Since one of their host plants is the Marula tree (Sclerocarya caffra), which produces edible fruit, this beautiful moth is considered a pest during its larval stage.