Luna Moth (Actias luna)
Luna Moth
Description: Luna moths are beautiful, almost fairy-like creatures. They are pale green overall with long wing trailers and a purplish - maroon upper wing border. The spots on their wings are nearly clear and mysteriously resemble eyes. The body is white and fuchsia with gold antennae. They belong to the giant silk moth family.
Habitat: These large moths fly to our lights at night in June, often staying until morning. It is always a treat to see one of these unique creatures. Luna moths inhabit deciduous forests.
Food: Adults do not eat; their short lives are based off of mating and laying eggs. Caterpillars feed on various species of deciduous tree leaves such as hickory, hop horn-beam and ash. Caterpillars eat the entire leaf other than the main vein, many smaller caterpillars will avoid the smaller veins in leaves where Luna moths will consume them.
Caterpillar: The caterpillars are large, green, and marked with small reddish-pink spots. The head is green and a yellow, line runs along their side. Yellow lines vertically intersect the spiracles on the caterpillar's sides (more obvious on more mature individuals). Mature caterpillars are striking, huge and fluorescent green, yet exquisitely camouflaged. Eggs are laid in clusters on larval food plants. Larvae overwinter in a cocoon and emerge in early summer.
Habitat: These large moths fly to our lights at night in June, often staying until morning. It is always a treat to see one of these unique creatures. Luna moths inhabit deciduous forests.
Food: Adults do not eat; their short lives are based off of mating and laying eggs. Caterpillars feed on various species of deciduous tree leaves such as hickory, hop horn-beam and ash. Caterpillars eat the entire leaf other than the main vein, many smaller caterpillars will avoid the smaller veins in leaves where Luna moths will consume them.
Caterpillar: The caterpillars are large, green, and marked with small reddish-pink spots. The head is green and a yellow, line runs along their side. Yellow lines vertically intersect the spiracles on the caterpillar's sides (more obvious on more mature individuals). Mature caterpillars are striking, huge and fluorescent green, yet exquisitely camouflaged. Eggs are laid in clusters on larval food plants. Larvae overwinter in a cocoon and emerge in early summer.