Pine Emperor Moth vs Ruby Tiger Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pine Emperor Moth Ruby Tiger Moth
Scientific Name Imbrasia cytherea Phragmatobia fuliginosa
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Saturniidae Arctiidae
Size 100-140 mm 28-35 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Heathland
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions Southern Africa, East Africa Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Pine Emperor Moth

A large South African emperor moth with brown and cream banded wings. Its caterpillars can become significant defoliators of pine plantations in southern Africa.

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Did You Know?

Pine emperor moth caterpillars occasionally undergo population explosions that can completely defoliate large areas of commercial pine plantation.

Ruby Tiger Moth

A small tiger moth with dark brownish-red forewings and rosy-red hindwings spotted with black. It is common across the northern hemisphere and flies both day and night.

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Did You Know?

The hairy caterpillar can survive being frozen solid during winter and resumes feeding when it thaws.