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Frame Size 6.5" X 9.5"

Species:   Chrysiridia Madagascarensis (Verso) Native Origin:  Madagascar $49.99    #1072   Frame Color BLACKREDWOODSAGE GREENNATURALSTEEL BLUESLATE BLUE  All of our insects are A1 quality! We guarantee that you will love your new purchase and that the item that you receive will be as good as or better than the one pictured. All of our shadowbox frames are made from solid wood with a glass front. The backing boards are an old world parchment with the name and country of origin of each specimen printed directly on boards under the insect. EVERY INSECT IS AVAILABLE IN YOUR CHOICE OF OUR 6 (See the chart below for all available colors) DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ONE INSECT IN A FRAME? We will gladly combine multiple insects of your choice into one frame at no additional charge. WE WILL PLACE THE SPECIMENS IN AN ARRANGEMENT THAT LOOKS THE BEST FOR COLOR AND BALANCED FOR SPECIMEN SIZE. WE WILL INCLUDE THE NAME AND COUNTRY OF ORIGIN PRINTED UNDERNEATH EACH SPECIMEN. JUST PURCHASE ALL OF THE SPECIMENS THAT YOU WANT IN THE SAME FRAME AND INCLUDE A NOTE WITH YOUR PAYMENT ABOUT THE CUSTOM FRAMING.

 

The Madagascan sunset moth, or simply sunset moth, (Chrysiridia rhipheus) is a day-flying moth of the Uraniidae family. It is considered to be one of the most impressive and beautiful Lepidoptera. Famous worldwide, it is featured in most coffee table books on the Lepidoptera and is much sought after by collectors. It is very colorful, though the iridescent parts of the wings do not have pigment; rather the colors originate from optical interference.  Adult moths have a wingspan of 7–9 centimeters (3–3½ in).

The moth was considered to be a butterfly by  Drury, who described it in 1773 and placed it in the genus Papilio. Jacob Hübner placed it in the moth genus Chrysiridia in 1823. Later re-descriptions led to junior synonyms such as Chrysiridia madagascariensis (Lesson, 1831).

At first the moth was thought to be from China or Bengal, but was later found to be endemic to Madagascar. It is found throughout the year in most parts of the island, with peak populations between March and August, and smallest numbers between October and December. Females lay about 80 eggs under the leaves of Omphalea spp. The caterpillars are whitish-yellow with black spots and red feet and are covered in club-ended black setae. Silk spun from the mouth helps the caterpillars hold onto smooth leaves and climb back to the plant when they fall. After completing four instars, the caterpillars spin an open network cocoon. The pupal stage lasts from 17 to 23 days. Chrysiridia rhipheus is the sole specialist herbivore of the four species of Omphalea in Madagascar. Omphalea is toxic: the toxins are sequestered by the feeding caterpillar and retained in the pupal and adult stages. housands of these moths migrate between the eastern and western ranges of their host plants.