^ Papillon-comète de Madagascar ( Argema mittrei) (in French).^ 'Argema mittrei, Madagascar Moon Moth or Giant Comet Moth'.Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. ^ Rollison, Emily Thackston, James (2003).^ 'Argema mittrei Guérin-Meneville, 1846'.' Argema mittrei (Guérin-Méneville, 1847)'. It also has a striking long, red and yellow tail which is used in defense against attackers. It also has other defensive roles such as crypsis, aposematism, or mimicry. Using ultrasound absorption is Argema mittrei main defensive function. For Argema mittrei, they have the ability to use ultrasound absorption so that the bat will receive a dampened echo, making the moth invisible to the bat. However, moths have developed methods to avoid detection from the echolocation cries of bats and to promote survival once detected. Moths and bats have been in a coevolutionary arms race due to bats developing echolocation. For Argema mittrei, the cocoon has a silvery color with a rough and compact opening at one end. Silk production Īrgema mittrei produces natural silk cocoons. The cocoon has drainage holes so rainwater can escape. The pupa is enclosed in a grayish-white cocoon that resembles a sac. The pupa is a life stage where some insects undergo transformation between immature and mature stages. The caterpillar has the unique ability to spin a silk cocoon. Additional host plants are Cotinus coggygria, Eucalyptus gunnii, Malosma laurina, Pistacia terebinthus, Pistacia lentiscus, Rhus copallinum, Rhus typhina, Schinus molle, Schinus terebinthifolius, Toxicodendron pubescens, Mimosa species and Liquidambar styraciflua. Other host plants they are reared to are Eugenia cuneifolia, Sclerocarya birrea, Weinmania eriocampa, Rhus cotinus, Schinus terebinthifolia, and Schinus molle. Host plants include the genus Eugenia and Weinmannia, as well as Eucalyptus gunnii and Liquidambar. Argema mittrei wings have large eyespot, giving the appearance of a large and dangerous creature that should not be attacked. The males have a long, feathery antennas and the females have thin antennas. The male has a wingspan of 20 cm (7.9 inches) and a tail span of 15 cm (5.9 inches), making it one of the world's largest silk moths. There are physical differences among females and males.

Comet moth