Emperor Moth

Saturnia pavonia

The Emperor Moth is a big, fluffy moth that comes out at night. Its wings have beautiful patterns that look like eyes.

Habitat: Forests and woodlands

Appearance

The Emperor Moth has striking brown, orange, and grey patterned wings, each bearing a prominent, dark eyespot with a white or blue pupil. Males are smaller and brighter, with large feathery antennae, while females are larger with plainer wings and thinner antennae.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilySaturniidaeGenusSaturnia

Emperor Moth

Interesting facts

Adult Emperor Moths have no mouthparts and cannot eat! They live only on stored energy.

Male Emperor Moths are one of the few large moths you can spot flying actively during the daytime.

The caterpillars are bright green with black bands and yellow warts, looking totally different.

Their clever cocoons have a special exit tunnel lined with stiff bristles, allowing the moth out.

Special abilities

Emperor Moths have large, fake 'eyespots' on their wings that mimic owl eyes, surprising and deterring predators.

Male Emperor Moths have elaborate feathery antennae that can detect female pheromones from several kilometers away, helping them find a mate.

Their intricate wing patterns of browns and greys perfectly blend with tree bark and dead leaves, helping them avoid detection by birds.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 50-90 mm
Size: 25-35 mm
Lifespan: 7-14 days
Flight Speed: 15 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Adults don't eat, but caterpillars munch on leaves from various plants.

Age differences: Adult moths do not feed, relying solely on energy reserves built as caterpillars.

Primary Foods

heather
willow leaves
birch leaves
hawthorn leaves

Foraging Method

Grazing

Ecological connections

eaten by

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleus

Birds like this eat caterpillars and sometimes adult moths.

eaten by

Common Pipistrelle

Pipistrellus pipistrellus

Bats hunt adult moths, catching them in the twilight.

eats

Heather

Calluna vulgaris

Young caterpillars feed voraciously on the leaves of heather plants.

eats

Silver Birch

Betula pendula

Caterpillars also enjoy feeding on the leaves of birch trees.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Forest

These lush habitats are filled with countless trees, offering homes to a huge variety of plants and animals! Immerse yourself in the green canopy.

Spiky/Thorny

Find creatures and plants covered in sharp points, which help keep them safe or catch a meal!

Nocturnal

Explore the secret world of animals that come alive at night! They are wide awake when it's dark, using their amazing senses to find food and play.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.