Eacles imperialis
Family Saturniidae (silkworms), subfamily Ceratocampinae (royal moths)
Photograph copyright by Tony Leukering
Photograph copyright by Tony Leukering
28 May 2012
Belleplain S. F. Headquarters
CMMP block F09
Distribution map
Distribution map
Imperial Moth is one of the more impressive of the county's moths, with some reaching wingspans of over 6 inches! The precise pattern is quite variable, but the pale yellow visible here is a large part of any individual's color palette. Size, as in most moth species, is variable, with females being larger, in this case often much larger, than are males. Moth hobbyists checking night-lit walls in the morning can be dismayed by finding the wings of Imperial Moths on the ground below the wall; birds often beat us to the really juicy species! In addition to birds, moths attracted to such lighting can be gobbled up by skinks, spiders, and who-knows-what else. So, while lighting can make it much easier for us to find moths, such lighting can be a deathtrap for many moths. So, this is a plea for moderation in running outdoor lighting -- if it attracts moths, have the lighting turn off well before sunrise to give those moths a chance to return to their regularly scheduled programs.
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