Emperor moth  (Saturnia pavonia)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

The adult emperor moth is a spectacular insect. Males have a complex pattern of grey, dark brown and orange markings on their upper forewings, with prominent eye spots, coloured black and yellow resembling the eyes of an owl. There are similar eye spots on the upper hindwing, these set against an orange background. Females also have the eye spots but set against a background that is a combination of buff-grey and white patterns. Both sexes have long fur on the thorax. When fully-grown, the caterpillars are handsome creatures, green with black bands around each segment of their body. They are also covered with pinkish or orange lumps, from which grow tufts of black hairs.

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