Imperial moths are large, mostly yellow moths with spots, lines and splotches of light to dark brown. They are relatives to the largest known moths in North America. Their caterpillars are green or brown and quite spiky. White spots with black rings around them line the sides of their bodies. As members of the Giant Silkworm Moth family, imperial moths are not venomous or poisonous. Their caterpillars become large, up to 4 inches. They are covered with long, irritating hairs. When touched, these hairs can severely irritate the skin, causing itching or stinging. The caterpillars feed on dozens of kinds of trees but prefer pines, oaks, maples, and sweetgum. The majority of the imperial moth’s life is spent as a pupa. Their hard, brown chrysalis keeps them safe while pupating.
What to do if you find an imperial moth caterpillar?
The imperial moth caterpillar grows 3-4 inches long. It is green or brown, spiky, lined with white spots with black rings. Its whitish hairs may cause skin rash. The caterpillar of the imperial moth can severely irritate skin when touched due to distinctive stinging spines or hairs.
To raise imperial moth caterpillars, understand their life cycle and needs. These caterpillars feed on host plant foliage before becoming moths. They can grow up to 5.5 inches long.
A cocoon needs minimal care. Keep it in an appropriate habitat until the moth emerges. Some moth caterpillars like the imperial moth possess stinging hairs and barbs that can cause itchy rashes or painful stings.
The imperial moth is common globally, though may be rare in some areas. Its complete life cycle takes almost a year. If you find an interesting caterpillar, bring it in for us to document. We have a caterpillar event in August. Prizes given for found caterpillars.
The atlas moth has a wingspan up to 27 centimeters. The imperial moth wingspan is 80-174 mm. The imperial moth life cycle has four stages – egg, larva, pupa and adult. Eggs require 14 days to incubate. Larvae have five instars.
What do imperial moth caterpillars eat?
Imperial moth caterpillars can feed on dozens of kinds of trees. They seem to prefer pines, oaks, maples, sassafras, and sweetgum. Other less common hosts are cedar, elm, persimmon, hickory, beech, honeylocust and cypress. Imperial moth caterpillars grow up to 5.5 inches long. They are known for their vibrant colors and large size. As they search for food, you might wonder what these caterpillars typically eat. These caterpillars enjoy munching on maple, oak, and even some forest and shade trees. This variety in their diet makes them quite adaptable and easy to find in numerous environments.
The imperial moth lays its eggs on host plant leaves, taking two weeks to hatch into caterpillars. They pupate and overwinter underground. The imperial moth has a wingspan of 80-174 mm. The eggs are flattened spheres almost 1/8 inch across. The life history shows that this species was first discovered and recorded by Dru Drury in 1773.
Caterpillars make incredible pets, and watching them as they become moths can be delightful. As you provide imperial moth caterpillar food and a protected nook, they require almost no work to keep them happy. Imperial moth caterpillar care can be done by finding which caterpillars are local. Determine which type you’re looking for to keep as pets. Research the plants in your yard or region. Start your hunt in the spring, look for caterpillars eating plants.
The Imperial moth caterpillar is about 3-4 inches long, green or brown and spiky, lined with white spots with black rings around them. The Imperial moth caterpillar’s whitish hairs may cause some skin rash. They are covered with irritating hairs so people are likely to react with an itching rash rather than a stinging sensation.
Where are imperial moths found?
Imperial moths are found from southern Quebec and Maine south to Florida and west to western Ontario, Kansas, and Texas. Their habitat includes pine and spruce forests and forests with deciduous trees such as maple and oak.
They have an extensive range. Imperial moths occur across most of the northern half of North America. They likely arrived from Europe in the 1920s.
The beautiful imperial moth has yellow wings with spots and speckles of pink, orange, and rusty purple. Wingspan reaches 51⁄2 inches. Caterpillars come in a green form ranging from light to dark green. Also a brown form ranging from orange to dark brown to nearly black occurs.
The imperial moth spends most time pupating. Caterpillars look for safe places to plant themselves as they are defenseless against predators. Their caterpillars are green or brown and quite spiky. White spots with black rings line the sides of their bodies.
Since the imperial moth doesn’t eat, it dies shortly after laying eggs. Its lifespan lasts about one week. Though ethereal in appearance, imperial moths can be lethal. Females are larger than males. Males have hairy antennae and tend to be more heavily marked.