Madagascan Moon Moth vs Mother Shipton

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Madagascan Moon Moth Mother Shipton
Scientific Name Argema mittrei male form Euclidia mi
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Saturniidae Erebidae
Size 200 mm wingspan with 150 mm tails 30-35 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Madagascar Europe, western Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Madagascan Moon Moth

The male form has exceptionally long tail streamers that can exceed 15 cm. These tails spin in flight, confusing bat echolocation.

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Did You Know?

The spinning tail streamers deflect bat attacks away from the moth's body.

Mother Shipton

A day-flying moth whose forewing markings resemble the profile of a witch's face. It is named after the famous English prophetess Mother Shipton.

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Did You Know?

The wing pattern clearly shows a hooked nose, chin, and eye in profile, resembling a caricature of a crone.