Luna moth vs Imperial moth
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a Luna moth from an imperial moth, and whether either one bites or stings.
Luna moth
Actias luna
Imperial moth
Eacles imperialis
≠The key differences
Luna moth is pale green with long hindwing tails and lacks the blotched pattern and yellow-orange tones of the imperial moth.
⚖︎Side by side
| Luna moth | Imperial moth | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
| Size | Wingspan 90-114 mm (3.5-4.5 inches), body length 30-40 mm | Wingspan 80-175 mm (3-7 inches), typically 90-150 mm in many populations |
| Colours | Pale green, Creamy yellow, Brown (wing margins and body markings), Black (eyespot centers and markings) | Yellow, Orange, Rusty brown, Purple-brown markings |
| Family | Saturniidae | Saturniidae |
| Habitat | Deciduous and mixed woodlands, suburban areas, parks and riparian zones where host trees are present | Deciduous and mixed woodlands, forest edges, suburban yards with host trees |
| Range | Eastern North America: from Canada (southern Ontario, Quebec) south to Florida and west to Texas and parts of the Great Plains | Eastern and central North America from Canada (southern Ontario, Quebec) south through the eastern United States to Mexico; exact range and form vary regionally |
| Active | Adults nocturnal; typically one to two broods per year depending on latitude (spring-summer to midsummer) | Mostly spring to early autumn depending on location; adults are nocturnal and fly at night |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍How to spot a Luna moth
- Pale green wings with translucent eyespots on each wing
- Long, tapering tail streamers on the hindwings
- Powdery, slightly scalloped wing margins and creamy-yellow body
- Males have feathery (bipectinate) antennae; females have thinner, less feathery antennae
🔍How to spot an imperial moth
- Large wingspan (typically 90-150 mm) with rounded fore- and hindwings.
- Ground colour yellow to orange with distinct purple-brown blotches and wavy crosslines.
- Small dark discal spot on each wing and males with feathery antennae.
- Caterpillars large, green or brown/orange, with long whitish hairs and short horns behind the head.
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Luna moth and an imperial moth?
Luna moth is pale green with long hindwing tails and lacks the blotched pattern and yellow-orange tones of the imperial moth.
Is a Luna moth or an imperial moth more dangerous?
Luna moth: Non-toxic. Imperial moth: Non-toxic. Adults do not bite or sting and are harmless to people. Imperial moths and their caterpillars are not venomous.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.