Saturniidae : Saturniinae
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Emperor Moth
Saturnia pavonia

(Linnaeus, 1758) 1643 / 68.001
Photo © Dave Shenton,  - male to EMP lure

Immature stages

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Similar Yorkshire Species: None
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Yorkshire Status: Thinly distributed or restricted resident.

This attractive species may have been more widespread in the past as the Atlas suggest that it has been lost from many areas. In Yorkshire however it appears to be doing well in upland areas and on our lowland heaths. Most records are of the males which fly by day, but occasionally females are caught in moth traps. A major increase in numbers in recent years is almost totally due to the availability of a pheromone lure. On a sunny afternoon at the right time of year this can be spectacularly effective, and counts of up to 75 adult males have been recorded, though counts are more commonly in single figures. Moths seem to be able to detect the pheromone even when the recorder has packed it away, as traces must remain on hands and clothing, and a subsequent walk across the moors can make one feel like the Pied Piper pursued by a merry throng of moths.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Frequent on many moors and heaths in vice-counties 62 to 64. It reappeared on Skipwith Common (VC61) in the 1970s and a male assembled to a female there on 5.5.1987 (SMJ). The only other VC63 record is from Allerthorpe Common, where males were found to be frequent on 20.5.1984 (PQW). There are only occasional records from VC65, but it is almost certainly present in fair numbers in suitable localities.

Recorded in 101 (51%) of 200 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1880.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats

< Lappet  |  Great Peacock >
Forewing: M 27-32mm, F 35-41mm
Flight: April - May
Foodplant:   Heathers, bramble, hawthorns and other plants
Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
Verification Grade:  Adult: 1
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
18/09/2024+65SD88 - Hawes
31/08/2024+62SE79 - Rosedale Abbey
31/08/2024+63SD92 - Hebden Bridge / Todmorden
24/08/2024+64SD77 - Ingleborough
13/08/2024+63SD94 - Earby
  Immature   Adult   [Show Flight Weeks]
Show Details | 1990 to 2024 | 2000 to 2024 | Graph Key
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