Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the 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.