Emperor Moth
Saturnia pavonia
This record describes Saturnia pavonia (species). Recorded family: Saturniidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 40 to 60 mm. The spectacular Emperor Moth is Britain's only resident member of the Saturniidae family. The males, which have bright orange hindwings, fly during the daytime in search of the greyer females, which fly at night. A good photograph is generally required to support your record. When adding a record please state whether a pheromone lure was used. Hedgerows, thorn scrub, downland and open woodland. Both sexes are on the wing in April and May. Males flying by day and females at night. The fully grown caterpillar is green with black hoops containing yellow wart-like spots, and feeds on moorland plants such as Heather and Bramble. It is reasonably common over much of Britain, occupying moorland and open country. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Wikipedia reference for Saturnia pavonia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnia pavonia.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Saturniidae (Emperor and Giant Silk Moths)
- Subfamily
- Saturniinae
- Tribe
- Saturniini
- Genus
- Saturnia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Hedgerows, thorn scrub, downland and open woodland.
Seasonal Activity
Both sexes are on the wing in April and May. Males flying by day and females at night.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The fully grown caterpillar is green with black hoops containing yellow wart-like spots, and feeds on moorland plants such as Heather and Bramble.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is reasonably common over much of Britain, occupying moorland and open country. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Saturnia pavonia. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Emperor Moth (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Emperor Moth
What is Emperor Moth?
Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia) is a species in the family Saturniidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Emperor Moth found?
Habitat: Hedgerows, thorn scrub, downland and open woodland.
When is Emperor Moth active?
Emperor Moth: seasonal activity - Both sexes are on the wing in April and May. Males flying by day and females at night..
What is the life cycle of a Emperor Moth?
The fully grown caterpillar is green with black hoops containing yellow wart-like spots, and feeds on moorland plants such as Heather and Bramble.