Southern Dogface vs Pine Emperor Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Southern Dogface Pine Emperor Moth
Scientific Name Zerene cesonia Imbrasia cytherea
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pieridae Saturniidae
Size 46-64 mm wingspan 100-140 mm
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Omnivores
Regions North America, Central America, South America Southern Africa, East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Southern Dogface

Yellow butterfly with a pointed forewing showing a poodle-dog-face pattern in black. Males have a warm orange flush on the upper wing surface.

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Did You Know?

The forewing markings form a recognizable dog face profile when the wings are spread open.

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.