Autumnal Moth vs Speckled Emperor Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Autumnal Moth | Speckled Emperor Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Epirrita autumnata | Gynanisa maja |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Geometridae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 28-35 mm wingspan | 90-120 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Grasslands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Siberia | Southern Africa, East Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Autumnal Moth
A grayish-brown moth with faint wavy crosslines on the forewings. It flies in autumn in subarctic birch forests. Periodic outbreaks of its larvae can completely defoliate vast areas of mountain birch forest.
Did You Know?
Outbreaks of this moth in Scandinavian birch forests occur roughly every 10 years and can kill entire mountain birch forests across thousands of hectares.
Speckled Emperor Moth
A large earth-toned emperor moth with speckled brown and grey wings bearing clear eyespots. It is a common moth in southern African bushveld.
Did You Know?
The caterpillars are edible and are harvested alongside mopane worms as a traditional food source in rural areas.