Emperor Moth vs Pine Hawk-moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Emperor Moth Pine Hawk-moth
Scientific Name Saturnia pavonia Sphinx pinastri
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Saturniidae Sphingidae
Size 55-85 mm wingspan 70-87 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, temperate Asia Europe, temperate 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.

Pine Hawk-moth

A sleek grey hawk-moth with dark streaks that provide perfect camouflage against pine bark. It is strongly associated with conifer plantations and native pinewoods.

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Did You Know?

When resting on a pine trunk, its streamlined body and bark-like colouring make it almost impossible to spot.