The Variable Imperial Moth

[trehopr1]

Here is one of two drawers that I have featuring our native Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) which is found on the Eastern seaboard of the U.S. I have always liked this most variable of native Saturniidae. The females as can be seen are huge compared to the males. However, they are not nearly collected as often as are the males since they don't seem to be attracted to light in like numbers. Perhaps, their call times are different ? The males can be quite common if you are in the right area at the right time. The amount of purple, yellow, and "freckled" spots varies wildly.
All of my specimens are "wild collected". I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and whenever I find something a little different or simply a fresh hatch I am thrilled with the find and yet thankful at the same time. I have never been a fan of breeding personally. I'd rather take my chances finding something-- so to speak --from Mother nature and her bounty. To me my treasures have all been earned the hard way....
The 2 specimens marked in heavy purple in the 2nd and 3rd columns are of a form which is most uncommon among wild collected material. If you were to collect say 50 males you might find maybe 2 with the heavy purple. No kidding. Females with the heavy purple are almost non-existant. The one which I did find is the only one I've ever found in many trips afield over many years. I'm very picky about what I keep for my collection so what you see here in this drawer is the very best I've found over a 10 year period. My other drawer features another 18 males. Their are 2 color forms of the larvae -- green and brown. I have a brown color form larvae which has been beautifully prepared (not by me) by someone with an advanced knowledge of the art. Found it thru my dealer in a lepi collection he purchased some years ago !
Certainly, a worthy and collectible species !



All specimens collected in Southern 
Illinois. Union County.

[leon]

I've found that females being larger than males is quite common in Coleoptera also.
Your moths are well named....Imperial indeed.

[Paul K]

Beautiful drawer, very nice displayed and wonderful presentation of this species.
There is nothing more trehopr1 that you could do to make it look better.
The larvae looks like still alive, very good job of preparing.

Paul

[wollastoni]

Indeed, splendid drawer !

[mothman27]

Love the drawer, they are my favorite native insect. I am lucky enough to have caught the subspecies "pini" in my backyard.

[larrycurlymoe]

Very nicely spread specimens, trehopr. There is also an "orange" form which I find occasionally.

[trehopr1]

I would love to see a photo of your "orange" form specimen. Have never seen one. However, different host plant sources do produce some unique shades. For example, you can look at an entire drawer of Antherae polyphemus and (provided they have been wild captured ) you will notice several varying shades of background brown present along with varying amounts and intensities of the pink bands. All the byproduct of the different food sources utilized.

[larrycurlymoe]

Orange form E. imperialis

[trehopr1]

Wow, now that's very cool. Never seen anything like that in my state (Illinois). Glad to see this form. I am also fond of the Royal Walnut Moth. That's a sizable female you have compared to your Imperial females. Could you kindly post a close-up of the specimen in your drawer photo? And how many centimeters does it measure wingtip to wingtip?
The regalis which I find here are only found in the southern most counties of Illinois. That's where all the remaining stands of hickory and black walnut (in old growth forest) remain. Takes me about 6.5 hours to get there. In July, males can be reasonably abundant (at times) but, of coarse finding fresh wild caught ones can be tough as they seem to beat themselves up rather easily. I only keep the best I find. It has always been a challenge to "wild collect" what I can in great shape but,for me that's the fun factor !
Females are very seldom encountered as lights don't draw them in but, a careful "perimeter" search of a lighted area has on occasion revealed a resting female. Managed 5 (keepers) over an 8 year period. Just glad I have found what I have on those.

[mothman27]

Really neat! I have never seen that form before. Where did you catch them and how often are they encountered?

[larrycurlymoe]

The orange E. imperialis is not that rare in east TX. I have found them at gas stations in the towns of Hardin, Zavalla, and a few other places. If you spent a few days collecting in the area, there's a pretty good chance you would get at least one specimen. July, August, & September are the best months. E. oslari from AZ also has an orange form, as well as a "chocolate" form. It seems to be more variable than imperialis. The C. regalis female is unusually large. It measures 148mm wingtip to wingtip as mounted. I seldom find females because they don't come to lights. I don't have access to a camera at the present time (and I don't own a smart phone), so I can't post a closeup. Sorry.

[larrycurlymoe]

All the Eacles in this drawer are E. oslari from Arizona. Check out the variability.

[mothman27]

Very nice! Let me know if you get any extra orange form imperial moths. I find it very interesting that both male and females have that form.