ExploreInsects

Imperial Moth

Eacles imperialis

The Imperial Moth is a large, colorful moth with bright yellow wings and beautiful purple spots. It is a nighttime flyer and loves to visit flowers for nectar.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Imperial Moth is a large, stocky moth with striking yellow wings heavily mottled with brown, purple-brown, or sometimes reddish-brown patterns. Males often have more extensive dark markings than females. Each hindwing displays a distinctive dark eyespot, helping it blend into tree bark.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilySaturniidaeGenusEacles
Imperial Moth
spotted trait badgesolitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgecolorful trait badge
Imperial Moth

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Adult Imperial Moths don't eat at all, living only on energy stored when they were caterpillars!

If disturbed, Imperial Moth caterpillars can snap their heads, making a surprising clicking sound!

Its caterpillars are sometimes called 'pine devils' for their spiky, sometimes horned, bodies!

Some Imperial Moths can change their wing patterns to match the specific trees they live around!

Special abilities

Ability

Disguise Master

Imperial Moths can blend into tree bark and leaf litter because of their mottled wing patterns, helping them hide from predators.

Ability

Stored Energy Superpower

Imperial Moth adults have no mouths and don't eat, surviving on stored energy from their leaf-munching caterpillar stage.

Ability

Pheromone Super-Sniffer

Male Imperial Moths have large, feathery antennae that help them detect female pheromones from far away for mating.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
80-175 mm
Size
40-70 mm
Lifespan
5-10 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars munch on tree leaves, but adult moths do not eat at all!

Age differences: Caterpillars are voracious leaf-eaters; adult moths do not feed, living off stored energy reserves.

Primary Foods

  • Oak leaves
  • Pine needles
  • Maple leaves
  • Sweetgum leaves
  • Birch leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Don't touch moths or caterpillars unless you know they are safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Imperial Moth's wingspan?

80-175 mm

How big is Imperial Moth?

40-70 mm

How long does Imperial Moth live?

5-10 days

How fast can Imperial Moth fly?

15 km/h

What does Imperial Moth eat?

Caterpillars munch on tree leaves, but adult moths do not eat at all!

Where is Imperial Moth usually found?

Forests

How does Imperial Moth hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Imperial Moth have?

6

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Insects