Although endangered in the wild due to habitat loss, the comet moth has been bred in captivity.

[4] The genus name Argema is Greek for "speckled eye" referencing the abundance of eyespots on their wings, warding off predators.

[5] Host plants include the genus Eugenia and Weinmannia, as well as Eucalyptus gunnii and Liquidambar.

[7] Additional host plants are Cotinus coggygria, Eucalyptus gunnii, Malosma laurina, Pistacia terebinthus, Pistacia lentiscus, Rhus copallinum, Rhus typhina, Schinus molle, Schinus terebinthifolius, Toxicodendron pubescens, Mimosa species and Liquidambar styraciflua.

For Argema mittrei, the cocoon has a silvery color with a rough and compact opening at one end.