Pallid Emperor Moth vs White Admiral
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pallid Emperor Moth | White Admiral |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cirina forda | Limenitis camilla |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 60-80 mm wingspan | 52-64 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone) | Europe, temperate Asia, Japan |
| 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.
White Admiral
An elegant woodland butterfly with dark brown wings crossed by a broad white band, noted for its graceful gliding flight. It has expanded northward in Britain in recent decades.
Did You Know?
It has one of the most elegant flight patterns of any European butterfly, alternating glides with short wing beats.