Imperial Moth

Description:

There is a high amount of variation within this species. The colors of the adult are always yellow and purple but can vary distinctly on this. Generally there is more purple on the forewing and more purple on males. However, one subspecies tends to have a distinct coating of purple over the entire wings. This species caterpillar is known to have two basic color forms, a black-orange form and a green-yellow form. There is also variation within those two forms on the head, spines, body, and feet.

Habitat:

Northern Hardwood forest.

Notes:

This one was spotted on the ground (they overwinter as pupae under the ground). As soon as we brought it in, it pupated. We are now waiting to see if it will "hatch"