National Moth Week 2023 - The Imperial Moth
The Imperial Moth, Eacles imperialis , is a member of the family Saturniidae and subfamily Ceratocampinae. The subfamily has many genera and is characterized by the antennae of males that are quadripectenate (featherlike, with each branch split into two parts) at the basal half or two-thirds of the way up the antenna, with the outer portion simple (not featherlike). Eacles imperialis has a very wide distribution ranging from eastern portions of southern Canada to Argentina. Imperial moths are classified in a section of the giant silkworm family called the royal moths- all of which are brightly colored and native to the New World. Royal moths are robust bodied with lobed wings and hair-like scales. The imperial moth is yellow with spots, lines and splotches of light to dark brown. Imperial moths emerge from the soil in late spring to mate and then die. An adult Imperial moth can live typically for 2-4 weeks and sometimes as long as 6 weeks; it does not eat and solely relies on its fat ...