September 21, 2003
September 21, 2003
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It's Imperial Moth Season The imperial moth (Eacles imperialis), a fairly large moth belonging to the "giant silkworm moth" family Saturniidae, has a wing span ranging between 3 1/8 - 6 7/8 inches. Imperial moths are nocturnal and can be found flying around streetlights and bright porch lights during the summer. Imperial moth caterpillars are one of the few insects that can feed on needle-bearing trees like pines, as well as oaks and other broadleaf trees. In late August and early September, the caterpillars come down out of the trees where they've been feeding and pupate under ground, digging down below the frost line before they form their cocoons. Photo
by WPC's Outreach Assistant at the Sideling Hill Creek Center Mandy Smith. E-mail Today's WPC Daily to a Friend! Rediscover western Pennsylvania every morning with WPC Daily. Become a Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Member Review and vote for the best of August
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