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The Emperor Gum Moth (Opodiphthera eucalypti) is a spectacular silk moth native to Australia. It is renowned for its massive 12 to 15 cm wingspan and the four large, defensive eyespots on its wings. As a caterpillar, it feeds on eucalyptus leaves and defends itself with spiky, colored hairs.Key Facts About the Emperor Gum MothAdults Cannot Eat: The adult moths do not have functioning mouthparts and survive for only a couple of weeks relying entirely on the energy they stored during their caterpillar stage.Distinct Wings and Antennae: Their furry wings vary from pale to reddish-brown. Males can be easily identified by their large, feathery antennae used to detect female pheromones, while females have thinner, less hairy antennae.Dramatic Color Changes: The caterpillars go through several developmental stages. They begin as dark brown with orange and yellow spots. As they mature into later instars, they transform into bright green caterpillars with a lateral yellow stripe and spiky, colorful tubercles (yellow, red, and purple).Versatile Diet: While their primary host plant is the eucalyptus tree, the caterpillars can also be found feeding on pepper trees, silver birch, apricot trees, and grape vines.Noisy Emergence: When the adult is ready to hatch, it must rasp through a very tough, nut-like cocoon. The scratching and chewing sound they make during this process is often likened to a rat gnawing on wood.Global Range: Native to eastern and southern Australia, the moth has also been introduced as an established species in the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
