Pallid Emperor Moth vs Large White
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pallid Emperor Moth | Large White |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cirina forda | Pieris brassicae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Pieridae |
| Size | 60-80 mm wingspan | 58-63 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone) | Europe, Asia, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pallid Emperor Moth
A medium-sized saturniid moth with pale brownish-grey wings. The caterpillars, known as shea worms, feed on shea butter trees and are widely consumed in West Africa. Adults emerge synchronously at the start of the rainy season.
Did You Know?
The caterpillars are so important as food in West Africa that their harvest timing is traditionally regulated by village elders.
Large White
A common white butterfly with black wingtips and one or two black spots on the forewing. Its green-yellow caterpillars are a major agricultural pest of brassica crops.
Did You Know?
The caterpillars sequester mustard oils from their food plants and can spray these noxious chemicals at attacking predators.