Head to head
Emperor Moth vs Luna Moth
Emperor Moth
VS Luna Moth
The emperor moth and luna moth are two large silk moths that find mates by scent and do not feed as adults, one living on European heaths and the other in North American forests.
| Emperor Moth | Luna Moth | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Saturnia pavonia | Actias luna |
| Wings | A large eyespot on each of its four wings | Pale, translucent lime-green wings with long, twisting hindwing tails and small eyespots |
| Adult life | Has reduced mouthparts and lives on stored energy for its short life | Has no functional mouthparts and survives on stored fat for about 7 to 10 days |
| Finding a mate | Males fly by day and detect a female's scent with feathery antennae from a long way off | Males locate females at night using large feathery antennae that detect pheromones |
| Range | Heaths, moors, bogs, and open woodland across much of Europe | Deciduous forests of eastern North America, from southern Canada through the eastern United States |
| Caterpillars | Green with black bands and yellow-orange warts, feeding on heather, bramble, and other plants | Feed on the leaves of walnut, hickory, birch, and several other tree species |
| Tails | Not specifically documented | Long tails on the hindwings are thought to help distort the echolocation calls of hunting bats |
| Conservation status | Not Evaluated, though widespread across heathland and moorland | Not Evaluated, though generally considered common within suitable forest habitat |
Emperor Moth vs Luna Moth: common questions
Do these moths eat as adults?
No, adults of both moths do not feed, and live on energy stored as caterpillars.
Which moth has long tails?
The luna moth, whose long, twisting hindwing tails are thought to help deflect the sonar of hunting bats.
Where do the emperor and luna moths live?
The emperor moth lives on heaths, moors, and open woodland across Europe, while the luna moth lives in deciduous forests of eastern North America.