NEN Gallery

The Emperor Moth is found throughout Europe and Asia at high and low altitudes and in many different habitats. The male and female differs in size, colour, and behaviour. The larger female flies only at night. The orange hued male is one of the most distinctive of Europe's moths and flies by day. It has four large eye spots. The moth can be seen from late April until mid summer. The Emperor Moth lays its eggs on food plants such as blackthorn, bramble, meadowsweet, heather, willow and birch. The Caterpillar is black and orange when small, changing to green with black markings when fully grown. The caterpillar (pictured) is covered with hairy bumps. Picture taken 23rd July 2006 at Maulden, Bedfordshire.