A Description of the Camouflage of an Emperor Moth

Coloring

• The Emperor Moth is generally a soft brown to orange color. This coloration aids the moth in hiding among the leaves of trees. Browned and yellowed summer leaves hang loosely from the stems in just the way that an Emperor Moth looks in a tree. In a study regarding the use of eyespots to reduce predatory responses, it was determined that the similarity in value of the background color of the moth had a role in the camouflaging of moth-shaped test units.

Eyespots

• Studies conducted to determine the use of eyespots for concealment indicate that "contrast markings may actually promote concealment by drawing the 'attention' of the predator away from the outline of the body, preventing detection." Emperor Moth's spots can frighten attackers away because they resemble the eyes of other predators. It is documented that the Emperor Moth will rest with its hindwings covered by the forewings. If startled, the Emperor Moth will lift the forewings laterally, disclosing a second pair of spots. This startle defense has proven effective in deterring predators.

Camouflage of Caterpillar Form

• To become an Emperor Moth, the moth eggs must hatch and the resulting caterpillar must be able to survive until it becomes mature and builds a cocoon. The camouflage aspects of these early stages of the Emperor Moth include the eggs being hidden on the undersides of leaves and a light-green stripe along the sides of the caterpillar's darker green body. The light-green stripe mimics the appearance of a leaf stem. The darker green body is similar in color to the leaf of the host tree. This appearance allows the caterpillar to hold the side of a leaf and eat while it looks as if two leaves are simply overlapping.

Pupation

• When the Emperor Moth caterpillar has matured, it clings to the trunk of the tree and builds a hard cocoon. The cocoon is relatively impenetrable, and it mimics the colors and gnarled surface of the tree bark, making it difficult to locate. The Emperor Moth enters its metamorphic state in relative safety and ignominy. This is very important as the Emperor Moth may spend three weeks to a year in the cocoon state.