Emperor Moth
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Saturnia pavonia
Reasonably common all over Britain.
The Males are day fliers, but often hidden in the gorses & heather.
The Females are nocturnal & hide during the day.
The Larvae feed on the Heather, Meadowsweet, Alder Buckthorn, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, sallows, birches & Bramble.
The Female is larger but less brightly coloured than the Male, being generally grey and white but has all wings marked with eyespots similar to the Male.
The Caterpillar is black and orange at first, later becoming green with black rings and yellow and red spots.
Flight period is from from mid-April to late June.