Dom Greves Photo

The spectacular emperor moth (Saturnia pavonia) is Britain's only resident member of the silk moth family. It's fairly common, occupying moorland and open country, but less frequently seen. The males have bright orange hindwings and fly during the day in search of the duller females, which fly at night. The fully grown caterpillar is green with black hoops containing yellow wart-like spots, and feeds on moorland plants such as heather.