The Sphingidae are a family of moths commonly called sphinx moths, also colloquially known as hawk moths, with many of their caterpillars known as "hornworms"; it includes about 1,450 species. It is best represented in the tropics, but species are found in every region. They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their agile and sustained flying ability, similar enough to that of hummingbirds as to be reliably mistaken for them. Their narrow wings and streamlined abdomens are adaptations for rapid flight. The family was named by French zoologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802.
Chrysiridia rhipheus, the Madagascan sunset moth, is a species of day-flying moth of the family Uraniidae. It is considered one of the most impressive and appealing-looking lepidopterans. Famous worldwide, it is featured in most coffee table books on Lepidoptera and is much sought after by collectors, though many older sources misspell the species name as "ripheus". The colours originate from optical interference in the iridescent parts of the wings, while the black parts are pigmented. Adults have a wingspan of 7–9 cm (2.8–3.5 in).
Callidulidae, the only known family of the superfamily Calliduloidea, is the family of Old World butterfly-moths, containing eight genera. They have a peculiar distribution, restricted to the Old World tropics of Southeast Asia to Australasia and Madagascar. The three subfamilies exhibit both day- and night-flying behaviour.
Copromorphidae, the "tropical fruitworm moths", is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order. These moths have broad, rounded forewings, and well-camouflaged scale patterns. Unlike Carposinidae the mouthparts include "labial palps" with the second rather than third segment the longest. With other unusual structural characteristics of the caterpillar and adult, it could represent the sister lineage of all other extant members of this superfamily. The genus Sisyroxena from Madagascar is also notable for its unusual venation and wing scale sockets.
Whalleyana is an enigmatic genus of moths in the lepidopteran group Obtectomera, endemic to Madagascar. The genus contains two species, whose biology are unknown. The genus had been placed in the picture-winged leaf moths, (Thyrididae), but then was placed in its own family, and later elevated to its own superfamily ; see also Fänger (2004). The genus was named after Paul E. S. Whalley, a British entomologist. Genomic studies have found them to be most closely related to Callidulidae, and it is suggested that they should be placed in Calliduloidea.
Utetheisa pulchelloides, the heliotrope moth, is a moth of the family Erebidae. It is found in the Indo-Australian region including Borneo, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Papua, Seychelles, most of Australia,Tenerife and La Línea de la Concepción [Cádiz]. The species was first described by George Hampson in 1907.
Hilaroptera is a genus of moths belonging to the family Tineidae. It contains only one species, Hilaroptera viettei, which is found in Madagascar.
Argina astrea, the crotalaria podborer, is a moth of the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Dru Drury in 1773. It is found in eastern Africa, southern Asia of India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indo-Australia, including the Pacific Islands and Australia.
Pterophorus rhyparias is a moth of the family Pterophoridae.
Chiasmia separata is a moth in the family Geometridae first described by Herbert Druce in 1882. It is found on Saint Helena and has also been recorded from South Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
Argina amanda, the cheetah, is a moth in the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1847.
Amyna punctum is a moth of the family Noctuidae first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1794. This moth can be found throughout subtropical African countries such as South Africa, Madagascar and Australasian countries like India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Borneo and the Andaman Islands.
Mpanjaka grandidieri is a moth of the family Erebidae first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1882. It is found in central Madagascar.
Mpanjaka elegans is a moth of the family Erebidae first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1882. It is found in central Madagascar.
Mpanjaka pastor is a moth of the family Erebidae first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1882. It is found in central Madagascar.
Sapheneutis pulchella is a species of bagworm moth native to eastern Madagascar.
Galtara extensa is a moth of the subfamily Arctiinae first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1880. It is found on the Comoros and in Madagascar.
Euchromia amoena, the pleasant hornet moth, is a moth of the subfamily Arctiinae. It was described by Heinrich Benno Möschler in 1872.
Pyroderces ocreella is a moth in the family Cosmopterigidae. It is found in Madagascar.
Perissomastix madagascarica is a moth of the family Tineidae. It was described by Hungarian entomologist László Anthony Gozmány in 1969 and is found in Madagascar.
