African Moon Moth (Argema mimosae)

[trehopr1]

Here is a gorgeous African saturniid species which needs no introduction.
It can be found widely in Eastern Africa and more locally in Southern Africa.
It is just one of 5 species belonging to the genus Argema. To most European
collectors I imagine it no big deal having one or several in a personal collection.



Fact is, the species has been bred and sold for years over there but, here in 
America --- not so much ! In fact, for the most part if you come across one at 
all it's usually "papered". And to be honest, they (usually look the part) which is
my way of saying they never look as good as when they have been bred and 
"fresh pinned".

Here is my example of a beautiful breeder fresh pinned which I recently
purchased from a seller in Poland. The price was very agreeable and I 
consider myself lucky to have such a nice representative of this moon moth.

Of all the many saturniid species described it is the "moon moths" or "long tails"
for which I as a collector have a "special" appreciation or liking for...

If anyone else appreciates the long tails as I do than please show us what you
too have come across.

[mothman27]

I can's say I own any Argema but I certainly will when a good opportunity comes along. However I have an interesting "long tail" which is Eudaemonia argus (F). It seems there are tailed moths on almost every continent:
Actias: N. Amer., S. Amer., Asia
Graellsia: Europe
Argema: Africa
Copiopteryx: S. America
Antistathmoptera: Africa
Eudaemonia: Africa
Are there any in Australia? 

Here it is, much smaller than Actias maenas. 

[africaone]

Graellsia is a synonym of Actias.

the famlily Hymantopteridae (all species) also have long tails

[clinton9]

Jan 13, 2019 7:44:52 GMT trehopr1 said:

Here is a gorgeous African saturniid species which needs no introduction.
It can be found widely in Eastern Africa and more locally in Southern Africa.
It is just one of 5 species belonging to the genus Argema. To most European
collectors I imagine it no big deal having one or several in a personal collection.



Fact is, the species has been bred and sold for years over there but, here in 
America --- not so much ! In fact, for the most part if you come across one at 
all it's usually "papered". And to be honest, they (usually look the part) which is
my way of saying they never look as good as when they have been bred and 
"fresh pinned".

Here is my example of a beautiful breeder fresh pinned which I recently
purchased from a seller in Poland. The price was very agreeable and I 
consider myself lucky to have such a nice representative of this moon moth.

Of all the many saturniid species described it is the "moon moths" or "long tails"
for which I as a collector have a "special" appreciation or liking for...

If anyone else appreciates the long tails as I do than please show us what you
too have come across.

Hi trhopr1,      
                  Can you please send me your photo of underside of your female African Moon moth.
Clinton.

[trehopr1]

I appreciate your inquiry however, I cannot risk possible "handling" damage that might occur in flipping it over and stabilizing it for a photo. You can look the species name up on google and just hit "images" and you will find photo's of folded examples showing the underside. The species seems to be a fixture at European fairs and in private collections of anyone dabbling in Saturniid moths.
It is not a particularly pricey item but, finding "fresh pinned" / well spread examples that are not greasy or otherwise wing marred is difficult. It took me about a year and a half to find a "plum" example which satisfied my high standards.
I have always found truly "primo" examples of Saturniids are bred examples. With that in mind they should be spread right away for best appearance. The antennae of male saturniids for example will have a healthy, full (plumose) look to them rather than the "ratty" look papered stock often have. Females of fresh spread usually have "plump" abdomens as opposed to "squashed" somewhat flattened abdomens present among papered. Bred stock just looks more natural in overall appearance to me. So, every one I manage to get is regarded as a hard won piece !