Golden Emperor vs Navel Orangeworm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Golden Emperor Navel Orangeworm
Scientific Name Loepa megacore Amyelois transitella
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Saturniidae Pyralidae
Size Wingspan 90-120mm 20-28 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Deserts & Drylands
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Golden Emperor

A bright golden-yellow silk moth with maroon eyespots ringed in black on each wing. It has a fluffy golden body and feathery antennae.

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Did You Know?

Its intense golden color is among the brightest of any moth and is visible even in dim forest light at dusk.

Navel Orangeworm

The most damaging pest of almonds, walnuts, and pistachios in California. Larvae bore into nuts and contaminate them with frass and fungal spores.

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Did You Know?

It promotes aflatoxin contamination by introducing Aspergillus fungi into damaged nuts.