Imperial Moth vs Pellucid Hawk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Imperial Moth Pellucid Hawk Moth
Scientific Name Eacles imperialis Cephonodes hylas
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Saturniidae Sphingidae
Size 80-135 mm 45-65 mm
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Omnivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Eastern North America, Mexico, Central America, South America South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Africa, Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Imperial Moth

A large moth with bright yellow wings variably marked with purple-brown spots and patches. It is one of the most recognizable saturniids in the Americas.

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Did You Know?

The imperial moth has declined dramatically in the northeastern United States, likely due to parasitic flies introduced for gypsy moth control.

Pellucid Hawk Moth

A strikingly beautiful day-flying hawk moth with entirely transparent wings and a bright green and yellow body. It hovers at flowers in tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most clearwing moths that lose scales gradually, Cephonodes hylas sheds nearly all its wing scales within seconds of emerging from the pupal case.