The species was first described by Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville in 1847. The male has a wingspan of 20 cm and a tail span of 15 cm, making it one of the world's largest silk moths. The female lays from 120 to 170 eggs,[4] and after hatching, the larvae feed on Eugenia and Weinmannia leaves for approximately two months before pupating.[5] The cocoon has numerous holes to keep the pupa from drowning in the daily rains of its natural habitat.[4] The adult moth cannot feed and only lives for 4 to 5 days.[4] Although endangered in the wild due to habitat loss, the comet moth has been bred in captivity.[4]