Chrysiridia Rhipheus(Madagascan Sunset Moth) -Female -Verso -Madagascar -(3.25 in wingspan).Endemic to Madagascar. In proper lighting the orange on the hindwings lights up like a Sunset. Note that the Sunset markings on the Verso are much larger than on the Recto.

Whilst staying at Aguas Calientes near Machu Picchu ,I wondered around some of the shops ...all aimed at the many visiting tourists. In one shop doorway, I spotted this fine beauty ,in a glass case & poorly lit (hence high ISO) . There was no label ,so I am just assuming it is a local species. Thanks are due to maricontis & to Cerabilia for the ID .....it is in fact a day-flying moth from Madagascar ,which I now think is ..............Urania (Chrysiridia) Ripheus. Well, other than it`s not…

One of the worlds most impressive and colorful moths/butterflies with iridescent wings that gets it color from optical interference. It is endemic to

I love this moth. It's like painting a rainbow...just so pretty. I started on it today. I will take lots of progress pics since it is so huge (36" x 36"). I worked on it some more and added the stripes and dots. I noticed that the spots are not identical on each side like other butterflies. I did some more work on this today. I am hoping to finish it today so I can bring it to the show tomorrow. Gotta love acrylics. If this were oil I wouldn't be able to move it for weeks.

Chrysiridia Croesus(East African Sunset Moth) -Female -Recto -Tanzania -(3.5 in wingspan). In proper lighting the orange on the hindwings lights up like a Sunset. It's counterpart in Madagascar is the Madagascan Sunset Moth(Chrysiridi Rhipheus). Most people think that this moth is much more beautiful than the Madagascan SunsetMoth as it has much more Green in the forewings and Blue in the hindwings. Albeit the Madagascan Sunset Moth has more prominent Orange(Sunset) markings onthe…