Pine Imperial Moth

A fan of all things conifer, the purple and yellow Pine Imperial Moth is found in only in the northern and eastern parts of North America.

A subspecies of the grand Imperial Moth, the Pine Imperial Moth establishes populations in cooler provinces and states. Adults are big enough to cover the palm of a hand. The rosy purple splotches on the yellow moth look like birthmarks. Small purple freckles cover the wings. Purple eyespots peek out from the hindwings. The bottom of the forewings have a sleek contour while the hindwings are rounded. The larvae feed on all sorts of pine trees as well as a few other evergreens, so look for Pine Imperial Moths all summer long near pine groves by the coast, in higher elevations, or even near developed neighborhoods.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Saturniidae

Genus: Eacles

Species: imperialis pini

Identifying Information

Scientific Name: Eacles imperialis pini

Category: Butterfly or Moth

Size (Adult; Length): 42mm to 54mm (1.64in to 2.11in)

Colors: yellow, pink, purple

Descriptors: pink spots, mottled, yellow pink body, large, flying

Territorial Map

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic

Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Newfoundland and Labrador

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Butterfly and Moth Anatomy

Graphic showing basic anatomy of a common North American butterfly and moth insect

Antennae: Butterflies and Moths have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.

Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and proboscis.

Thorax: Home to the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.

Abdomen: Contains vital internal organs such as the heart(s) and reproduction facilities.

Forewing: The upper, forward wing pair used for flying.

Hindwing: The lower, rearward wing pair used for flying.

NOTE: Butterflies and Moths are part of the Lepidopteran order as they share many similarities.

Pine Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis pini)

A fan of all things conifer, the purple and yellow Pine Imperial Moth is found in only in the northern and eastern parts of North America.