IMPERIAL MOTH
Eacles imperialis
GIANT SILKWORM AND ROYAL MOTH FAMILY (Saturniidae)
Description
This very large silk moth has a wingspan of 6 inches or more. It is yellow, with variable blotches of pink, orange, purple or brown, with the male more heavily marked than the female (A). The larvae (B), up to 4 inches long at maturity, feed on a variety of plants to include oak, basswood (American Linden), and elm. Adults do not feed; they live only long enough to mate. Females place 2-5 large eggs on leaves of host plants.
Occurrence
The abundance of these moths at our two nature centers is yet unknown, but there seems to be a good variety of host plants available. The adults are active at night from June to August; they come to light.
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is: Roland Barth.
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