A brightly colored moth rarely seen in the U.S. (and bigger than a human hand) emerged from its cocoon Friday at Chicago’s Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – but you better get there fast if you want to see it.

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The comet moth, also known as a Madagascan moon moth, arrived at the museum in mid-December and spent nearly three months in its cocoon before hatching last week. It is currently on display in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven but will only be there for a few more days.

“Adult butterflies and moths don’t typically have a very long life span,” said Doug Taron, the museum’s chief curator, adding that comet moths live for about one week. “It’s a little shorter than average for not only this species but also [compared to] its close relatives.”

Native to Madagascar, the comet moth is one of the largest moths in the world. It features long tails beneath its yellow, green and brown-colored wings, which help the insect camouflage itself during the daytime.

“You look at [the colors] and are amazed,” Taron said. “But if you kind of mentally transport that into an outdoor setting with lots of foliage, it’s actually going to blend in very well.”

Taron said the comet moth is rare not only because of its size and color but also because the museum rarely receives butterflies and moths from Madagascar. Breeders there tend to supply specimens to collectors rather than curators like him, he said.

Because of their short life spans, comet moths do not have mouths and live off fat stored as caterpillars.

“In the adult phase, it is entirely about reproduction,” Taron said. “They don’t feed at all.”

Although it did not happen with this particular moth, it’s common for comet moths to have their tails damaged as they emerge from their cocoon, Taron said. The moth’s tails serve as a distraction to predators, and even when they’re damaged, it’s equivalent to scraping or damaging a fingernail, he said.

Comet moths are nocturnal, which is actually helpful for those planning to check out the museum’s new resident.

“I was just there and it was sitting on the netting on the window, which actually displays it really well,” Taron said. “In the morning, once we figure out where it is that day, it just sort of sits there.”

Contact Alex Ruppenthal: @arupp | [email protected] | (773) 509-5623

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