# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests and woodlands - **Also known as:** Pavonia Moth ![Emperor Moth](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426326/objects/5554.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Saturniidae - **Genus:** Saturnia ## 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 - **Eye-Spot Surprise:** Emperor Moths have large, fake 'eyespots' on their wings that mimic owl eyes, surprising and deterring predators. - **Super Scent Seeker:** Male Emperor Moths have elaborate feathery antennae that can detect female pheromones from several kilometers away, helping them find a mate. - **Hidden in Plain Sight:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/heather) (*Calluna vulgaris*) — Young caterpillars feed voraciously on the leaves of heather plants. - **Eats:** [Silver Birch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/silver-birch) (*Betula pendula*) — Caterpillars also enjoy feeding on the leaves of birch trees. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Emperor Moth? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Emperor Moth's wingspan? 50-90 mm ### How big is Emperor Moth? 25-35 mm ### How long does Emperor Moth live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Emperor Moth fly? 15 km/h ### What does Emperor Moth eat? Adults don't eat, but caterpillars munch on leaves from various plants. ### Where is Emperor Moth usually found? Forests and woodlands ### How does Emperor Moth hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Wendland.Elbe Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wendland-elbe-nature-park) — Niedersachsen, DE · Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Emperor Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/emperor-moth)