Lime Hawk-moth vs Emperor Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lime Hawk-moth Emperor Moth
Scientific Name Mimas tiliae Saturnia pavonia
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Sphingidae Saturniidae
Size 55-70 mm wingspan 55-85 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Heathland
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, western Asia Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Lime Hawk-moth

A beautifully scalloped hawk-moth with variable pink-green to brown colouration and dark central wing bands. Adults do not feed at all, living only on energy stored as caterpillars.

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Did You Know?

Its wing colour varies enormously, from bright salmon pink to deep olive green, even within the same brood.

Emperor Moth

Europe's only native member of the giant silk moth family, with prominent eyespots on all four wings. Males are colourful day-fliers while females are larger and nocturnal.

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Did You Know?

Males can detect a virgin female's scent from over a mile away using their huge feathered antennae.