Imperial Moth 3 by Leeco

Photography • Insects • posted on Sep 03, 2008

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Description

Nikon 7900 pocket camera, hand -held image. another view of this lovely moth I found recently. As mentioned in my last two postings, this one was very weak and close to its last breath. It was being bitten by a few ants when I first found it and seemed grateful for my removing it from the situation it was in. I love the soft colors and big eyes. Classification: Kingdom Animalia (Animals) Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) Class Insecta (Insects) Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths) No Taxon (Moths) Superfamily Bombycoidea Family Saturniidae (Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths) Subfamily Ceratocampinae (Royal Moths) Genus Eacles Species imperialis (Imperial Moth) Size: adult wingspan 80-174 mm; female larger than male larva length to 100 mm Identification: Adult: wings yellow, variably spotted and shaded with pinkish, orangish, or purplish-brown; male more heavily marked than female, especially in the south Larva: two variable color forms - green form varies from light green to dark green; brown form varies from orangish to chocolate brown to almost black; pair of spined dorsal tubercles on second and third thoracic segments, and sometimes first few abdominal segments; spiracles prominent, yellowish-white, ringed with black; many long whitish hairs dorsally, and shorter less dense ones laterally; short middorsal horn on ninth and tenth abdominal segments; prolegs larger on tenth segment than on other segments Range: eastern United States plus Ontario and Quebec Habitat: deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light Food: Larvae feed on leaves of Bald Cypress, basswood, birch, cedar, elm, hickory, Honeylocust, maple, oak, pine, Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), sycamore, walnut. Adults do not feed. Life Cycle: Large yellow eggs are laid singly or in groups of 2-5 on both surfaces of host leaves, and take two weeks to hatch. Larvae are solitary feeders. Pupation occurs in underground burrows. It over winters in the soil, as a pupa. Adults emerge before sunrise and mate after midnight the next day. One generation per year in the north; one or two generations in the south Thanks to those who take the time to comment. Lee

Comments (17)

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flora-crassella

12:37AM | Wed, 03 September 2008

….how did you make that on the finger sits? I inquired already one times and am helpless…. Beautiful photo!!!!!

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Flannelman

12:46AM | Wed, 03 September 2008

Now thats how to take a hand held photograph. Great info 2. ;-)

MrsLubner

12:48AM | Wed, 03 September 2008

That eye is outstanding work. It has all the detail you can ask for. The entire moth does, in fact.

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mairekas

1:37AM | Wed, 03 September 2008

Very beautiful Moth! Thanks for info!

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Raindroptheelf

1:40AM | Wed, 03 September 2008

wow, what a beautiful picture. Such a wonderful moth, and how she sits on your finger is amazing, she seems to be very grateful indeed that you saved her from those Ants. Thank you for showing this to us and the explanation about this species.

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praep

1:43AM | Wed, 03 September 2008

Very beautyful - and wow, they are larger than I thought after viewing the last 2 images.

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durleybeachbum

2:24AM | Wed, 03 September 2008

As Markus says above, I didn't really get the size till now! A beautiful pic.

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Alz2008

6:05AM | Wed, 03 September 2008

Wonderful image and capture, Excellent well done..

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tizjezzme

6:38AM | Wed, 03 September 2008

I love that you rescued this sweet thing; even though it probably didn't survive much longer. Such a pretty one it is, too. Nice shot Lee.

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MrsRatbag

9:05AM | Wed, 03 September 2008

Lovely capture!

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JeffG7BRJ

9:07AM | Wed, 03 September 2008

It seems to be clinging on in gratitude Lee, that eye is spot on, excellent clarity and detail. It seems to have a rather short proboscis but if it isn't used it doesn't really need one I guess. Superb hand held macro, you must have very steady hands, unlike myself. I have to use a tripod for my macro's as my hands shake to much. Bravo!!!!!

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