Eacles imperialis

Subspecies of Eacles imperialis in Indiana

Polyphemus Moth image — Imperial Moth
(*Eacles imperialis imperialis*)

Eacles imperialis

(Drury, 1773)

Etymology

Eacles: Unknown

Imperialis: Latin for “of the empire.”

Pronunciation

ee-uh-kleez im-pihr-ee-al-iss

Overview

Eacles imperialis is a species of silkworm moths in the family Saturniidae that contains two taxonomically valid subspecies.

Taxonomic Level	Worldwide	North America	Midwestern USA	Indiana
Distribution of Species Eacles imperialis
Subspecies	2	2	2^ab	1

^aFirst described in 1773 by Dru Drury, subspecies Eacles imperialis imperialis is widespread and polyphagous.
^bSubspecies E. imperialis pini was first described in 1950 by entomologist Charles Duncan Michener. A conifer specialist, it is native to the upper Great Lakes region, including the upper third of Lower Peninsula Michigan.

Occurrences by County

Counties recorded: 64 of 92

Top counties/#of records:
Washington: 97
Brown: 36
Monroe: 36
Scott: 33
Hamilton: 21
Marion: 20
Owen: 19

species present icon GAIN LP documented in county

Photo Credit

Image courtesy of Tim Bailey.