Moon Eyetail Moth
Common NameMoon Eyetail Moth
Scientific NameEpiphora mythimnia
FamilySaturniidae
SubfamilySaturniinae
Wingspan (mm)120
Primary Colorsdark brown, reddish-brown, cream, black, blue
HabitatTropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, savannas
Geographic RangeSub-Saharan Africa (e.g., Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, DRC, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa)
Host PlantsAcacia, Combretum, Terminalia, Syzygium
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions, with multiple broods
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; larvae are large caterpillars feeding on various trees and shrubs, pupating in a cocoon before emerging as the adult moth.
Identification TipsKey features include its large size, dark brown and reddish coloration, the intricate cream-striped reticulation on the forewings, and especially the large, blue-centered eyespots on the red-brown hindwings, which extend into long, pale tails.
Description
A large, dark brown moth with intricate cream-striped reticulated patterns on its forewings, and prominent red-brown hindwings featuring large blue-ringed eyespots and long, pale tails.
