Aglia tau – Tau Emperor – Wingspan 55-69 mm ( male ) and 65-92 mm ( female ) An unmistakable species. Male antennae very broadly bipectinate, female larger with filiform antennae. Body and wings in the male of a yellowish rust-colour, in the female light ochre- coloured. Each wing has a conspicuous blue to lilac-grey eye-spot with a faint metallic lustre and a white T-shaped marking at it’s centre.Fly period May, active both in sunlight and at night. Larvae feeds on various deciduous trees. In Sweden extending up to 60* N. In the nemoral zone associated with beech forest.
Male pic from my collection – 1978
I believe I’ve found the Emperor for my tarot deck…