Moths of North Carolina
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
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View PDFSaturniidae Members:
Eacles Members:
411 NC Records

Eacles imperialis (Drury, 1773) - Imperial Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Bombycoidea Family: SaturniidaeSubfamily: CaratocaminaeP3 Number: 890012.00 MONA Number: 7704.00
Comments: One of two species in this genus occurring in the United States and the only one in our area
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1923), Ferguson (1971), Tuskes et al. (1996)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1923), Ferguson (1971), Covell (1984), Tuskes et al. (1996), Wagner (2005)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The large yellow adults with pinkish- or purplish-brown spots, blotches, or lines are unmistakeable.
Wingspan: 100 mm, males, 150 mm, females (Forbes, 1923); 8 - 17.4 cm (Covell, 1984)
Adult ID Requirements: Unmistakable and widely known.
Immatures and Development: Like the two Citheronia species, the caterpillars of Eacles have paired spiky horns on their thoracic segments (reduced on the first segment in late instars), rows of small spines on their abdominal segments, and a caudal horn at the end of the abdomen. Unlike Citheronia, they are also covered with long setae and have prominent pale spots on their spiracles. Pupation occurs underground.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Occurs state-wide in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

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