Imperial Moth vs Wasp Twisted-Wing Parasite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Imperial Moth | Wasp Twisted-Wing Parasite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eacles imperialis | Xenos vesparum |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Strepsiptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Xenidae |
| Size | 80-135 mm | 2-5 mm (males) |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Parasites |
| Regions | Eastern North America, Mexico, Central America, South America | Europe |
| 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.
Did You Know?
The imperial moth has declined dramatically in the northeastern United States, likely due to parasitic flies introduced for gypsy moth control.
Wasp Twisted-Wing Parasite
An endoparasite of paper wasps where females spend their entire life inside the wasp host. Parasitized wasps are castrated and abandon their colony duties.
Did You Know?
Female Xenos never leave their wasp host — they live, mate, and give birth to thousands of larvae while permanently embedded in the wasps abdomen.