Two day-flying moths, beautifully framed together in a Riker mount. Here’s a bit about each:

Urania leilus, the green-banded urania, is a day-flying moth from the Uraniidae family. Active during the day, these moths love basking in the sun alongside a colorful mix of tropical butterflies. They’re found in tropical South America, east of the Andes, including Suriname, French Guiana, eastern Colombia, Venezuela, eastern Ecuador, Brazil, northern Bolivia, eastern Peru, and Trinidad. With so many vibrant neighbors, could it be that the Urania leilus is secretly a social butterfly in disguise?

Madagascar sunset moths (Urania ripheus) are strikingly colorful moths native only to Madagascar. Unlike most moths, they are diurnal, meaning they’re active during the day. Their bright colors and wing shapes often lead them to be mistaken for swallowtail butterflies. These moths have just one defense: they’re poisonous. Their caterpillars feed on Omphalea plants, which contain toxins that remain in their bodies through pupation and into adulthood, making them toxic to most predators. Their vibrant wings serve as a warning: leave them alone or face the consequences.

By far, the most noticeable feature of Madagascar sunset moths is their appearance. They are large, with a wingspan of 3 to 3 1/2 inches, and their wings really catch the eye. The dazzling colors come from the curvature of the scales on their wings, which reflect light at different angles to create a brilliant, iridescent effect.