Best Saturniid
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The Madagascan moon moth, *Argema mittrei*, is a large saturniid moth native to Madagascar’s rainforests. Males are distinguished by exceptionally long, trailing tail streamers – up to fifteen centimeters – used in courtship displays. This species is notable for its impressive size and unique mating...
The Chinese moon moth, *Actias dubernardi*, is a large saturniid moth native to humid Asian mountain regions. It’s notable for its striking green wings and impressive size, making it one of the largest moths in Asia. First described in 1897, this species is primarily observed by lepidopterists and t...
The great peacock moth, *Saturnia pyri*, is a large European moth belonging to the Saturniidae family. Its most distinctive feature are the prominent eyespots on its wings, believed to deter predators. Reaching up to 20 centimeters in wingspan, it’s notable for being one of Europe's largest moths. L...
The African moon moth, *Argema mimosae*, is a large saturniid moth native to eastern and southern Africa. It’s notable for its exceptionally long hindwing tails, features that distinguish it from other moon moths. This species is primarily active at night and relies on the scent of acacia trees for...
Saturnia pyri, commonly known as the giant peacock moth, is a large European moth belonging to the Saturniidae family. It’s notable for its impressive wingspan, often exceeding 20 centimeters, and distinctive eyespots used for defense. These striking markings deter predators. The moth is primarily f...
The Promethea silkmoth is Callosamia promethea, an eastern U.S. saturniid described by Dru Drury in 1773 and known for strongly different male and female forms.
The Japanese oak silkmoth is Antheraea yamamai, an East Asian saturniid described in 1861 and imported to Europe for tussar silk production.
The tuliptree silkmoth is Callosamia angulifera, an eastern North American saturniid described by Walker in 1855 whose larvae feed on tulip tree.
The small emperor moth is Saturnia pavonia, a Palearctic saturniid described by Linnaeus in 1758 and the only family member native to the British Isles.
The tasar silkworm moth is Antheraea paphia, often listed as A. mylitta, an Indian and Sri Lankan saturniid used for wild tussar silk.
The Orizaba silkmoth is Rothschildia orizaba, a Mexican to South American saturniid described by Westwood in 1854 and known for translucent wing windows.
The ailanthus silkmoth is Samia cynthia, an East Asian saturniid described by Dru Drury in 1773 and used for silk outside the domesticated silkworm.
The Arizona silkmoth is Antheraea oculea, a North and Central American saturniid named by Neumoegen in 1883 and also called the Arizona Polyphemus moth.
The calleta silkmoth is Eupackardia calleta, the only species in its genus, described by Westwood in 1853 and found from the U.S. Southwest to Guatemala.
The New England buck moth is Hemileuca lucina, a Saturniidae species named by Henry Edwards in 1887 and restricted to wet meadows in northeastern U.S. states.
