Emperor Moth vs Engrailed Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Emperor Moth Engrailed Moth
Scientific Name Saturnia pavonia Ectropis crepuscularia
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Saturniidae Geometridae
Size 55-85 mm wingspan 35-42 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Underground
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, temperate Asia Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Emperor Moth

Europe's only native member of the giant silk moth family, with prominent eyespots on all four wings. Males are colourful day-fliers while females are larger and nocturnal.

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Did You Know?

Males can detect a virgin female's scent from over a mile away using their huge feathered antennae.

Engrailed Moth

A cryptic grey-brown moth with jagged crosslines and excellent bark-mimicking camouflage. It rests flat against tree trunks during the day.

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Did You Know?

It can be confused with several similar species and was only recently separated from Ectropis bistortata.