Great Purple Emperor vs Sod Webworm Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Great Purple Emperor Sod Webworm Moth
Scientific Name Sasakia charonda Crambus praefectellus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Crambidae
Size 75-110 mm wingspan 18-22 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Gardens
Diet Dung Feeders Omnivores
Regions East Asia, Japan North America
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.

Sod Webworm Moth

A small straw-colored moth that holds its wings tightly rolled around its body at rest, giving it a tubular appearance. Its larvae create silk-lined tunnels in lawn thatch.

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Did You Know?

Homeowners often first notice them as small pale moths that flush up in clouds when walking across the lawn at dusk.