Argema mittrei

Argema mittrei(Argema mittrei)

Phylum —arthropoda
Class —insecta
Order — lepidoptera
Family —saturniidae

Genus –argema

Appearance

This is one of the largest and most beautiful butterflies in the world. Newborn caterpillars are yellow with a red-brown middle part of the body. Later, they turn yellow. The color of the older caterpillars is bright green with light vertical stripes. The caterpillar is covered with hairs.

The wingspan of these butterflies is up to 20 cm. The body of the butterfly is covered with hairs. Males have feathery antennae. The butterflies are bright yellow. The tips of the forewings with a brown spot. Each wing has an eyespot. The tails on the hind wings of males can reach a length of 16 cm. Females have got thicker and shortertails.

Habitat

This butterfly native to the rain forests of Madagascar.

Behavior

Demonstrates nocturnal activity. Females practically do not fly.

Diet

The caterpillars feed on the leaves of eucalyptus, mimosa and sumac.

Adult butterflies of this species do not feed and live off the supplies accumulated during the larval period.

Reproduction

For their reproduction you need a terrarium with a size of 70 x 70 x 90 cm. The eggs are very large, 4 mm in diameter, yellowish. Each female lays 120-170 eggs.The duration of incubation is 10-20 days. Incubation at a humidity of 70-80% and a temperature of 20-25 °C.Forage plants should be replaced every 3-4 days.The caterpillars should be kept in plastic containers of 6-8 pieces. In the container, you need to place a branch of the forage plant.The temperature is 25-28 ^oC at the humidity of70-85 %. The caterpillar develops for about 2 months. Then the caterpillar makes a cocoon on a twig, in which it pupates. Cocoons are silvery. These butterflies have the largest cocoons. The butterfly leaves the cocoon after 4-5 weeks. The butterfly's life span is 4-5 days.

In captivity

The mesh cage with a size of 50 × 50 × 70 mm is suitable for keeping butterflies. Room temperature is necessary.