Ducal Imperial Moth
Common NameDucal Imperial Moth
Scientific NameEacles ducalis
FamilySaturniidae
SubfamilyCeratocampinae
Wingspan (mm)130
Primary Colorsorange, brown, yellow, white
HabitatTropical and subtropical rainforests, cloud forests
Geographic RangeCentral and South America (e.g., Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil)
Host Plantsvarious broadleaf trees
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions, primarily nocturnal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis. Larvae are typically spiny, feed on the leaves of various broadleaf trees, and pupate in the soil.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its large size, robust fuzzy body, and the distinctive mottled orange-brown forewings with a prominent white discal spot, contrasting with the more uniformly yellow-orange hindwings.
Description
A large, robust moth with a fuzzy, yellow-orange body and head. Its forewings are mottled orange-brown with a distinct white discal spot, and the hindwings are mostly orange-yellow with a darker brown marginal band.
