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Species: Chrysiridia Madagascarensis Verso
Common Name: Sunset Moth
Also Known as: Urania rhipheus
Native Origin: Madagascar
Frame Size: 6.5″ square
Frame Color: black
Wood Frame: Finest Handmade Museum Quality Sealed Shadowbox Display.
Glass: 99% UV Blocking Museum Grade Conservation Glass to Prevent Insect Fading.
Background: Insect Name & Origin Printed on Old World Style Parchment Backing.
Materials: Archival & Acid Free materials. Picture Hanger Included.
Description: Yes this really is a moth not a butterfly. Actually, this is a day flying moth. The vibrant colors reflect light to create a rainbow.
The native Malagasy people in Madagascar call the sunset moth Lolonandriana, from lolo for spirit and andriana for noble or king meaning noble spirit or king spirit. Unlike many other moths the colour of the wings does not come from pigments. The color comes from light reflected by the microstructure of the ribbon like scales covering the moth’s wings.
This beautiful day flying is often mistaken as a butterfly even when it was first discovered by Dru Drury, who described it in 1773 and placed it in the butterfly genus Papilio. Unlike most moths the sunset moth is day flying moth. The bright green red and golden color is a warning to predators that it is poisonus.
These moths are also named Urania rhipheus but were first described as a moth in 1831 by Jacob Hübner as Chrysiridia Madagascarensis