Great Purple Emperor vs Indian Tussock Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Great Purple Emperor Indian Tussock Moth
Scientific Name Sasakia charonda Euproctis lunata
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Erebidae
Size 75-110 mm wingspan 25-35 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Herbivores
Regions East Asia, Japan South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal)
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Great Purple Emperor

Japan's national butterfly, known as 'o-murasaki' in Japanese. Males display a stunning purple iridescence on their wings. A large and powerful flier found in deciduous forests.

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Did You Know?

Designated as Japan's national butterfly in 1957, the Great Purple Emperor is rarely seen feeding on flowers, preferring tree sap instead.

Indian Tussock Moth

A yellow-brown moth with a distinctive dark crescent marking on the forewings. Its brightly colored, hairy caterpillars are covered in urticating hairs that cause severe skin rashes on contact.

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Did You Know?

The urticating hairs of the caterpillar can cause painful welts and dermatitis lasting several days in people who handle them.