Which day-flying moth from Madagascar is famous for iridescent green, red, and blue wings?

The Madagascan sunset moth is the day-flying moth from Madagascar famous for iridescent green, red, and blue wings.

Its scientific name is Chrysiridia rhipheus, and it belongs to the uraniid family, Uraniidae. Unlike most moths, it is active during daylight and has vividly colored wings that can look metallic as they reflect light. The apparent colors are produced largely by the microscopic structure of the wing scales, not simply by ordinary pigments.

The species is native to Madagascar, where its caterpillars feed mainly on plants in the genus Omphalea. These food plants contain defensive chemicals that the caterpillars can retain, helping make the moth distasteful to predators. The moth’s striking appearance has therefore been discussed both as warning coloration and as camouflage among bright tropical foliage.

It is often mistaken for a butterfly because of its daytime activity and bright colors. However, its wing shape, body structure, and other features place it among moths. The name “sunset moth” refers to its spectacular sunset-like mixture of colors, not to activity at dusk.