Where can you find a Lunar Moth?
The Lucent Moth locations listed in chronological order are:
- Week one: Quagmire and Apothecary
- Week two: Alluring Curtain and Temple of the Cunning
- Week three: Temple of the Wrathful and Miasma
- Week four: Witch’s Echo and Court of Thorns
- Week five: Florescent Canal and Altars of Reflection
What is the lifespan of a Luna moth?
On average, the adult form lives only 7 – 10 days. Male Luna moths have large antenna that help them detect the pheromones of females. The antennas are so impressive that they can detect a female from over a mile away. After mating, female moths lay between 200 and 400 eggs.
What is the life cycle of a Lunar Moth?
Life Cycle of a Luna Moth. A luna moth goes through 4 different stages in their lifetime. They start as an egg from which they emerge as a larva, and it pupates. By the end of the pupal phase, if the environment is suitable, the adult winged moth arises.
How long is a Luna moth in a cocoon?
The luna moth caterpillar about five times for three to four weeks until it is about 2.5 inches long. At this time, it begins spinning a silken cocoon wrapped in a leaf. It cocoons for two to three weeks before emerging as an adult moth. A luna moth cuts its way out of a cocoon using tiny serrated spurs on its wings.
Where can a luna moth be found?
Luna moths are among the largest moth species in North America, with a wingspan of 3 to 4 inches. They are common in deciduous forests from Saskatchewan to Texas, and from Nova Scotia to Florida.
Is it rare to see a luna moth?
Luna Moths are not rare, but are rarely seen by humans. This is due to their very brief (7–10 day) adult lives and nocturnal flying time.
How do you attract a luna moth?
Moths are easily attracted on a warm, humid evening with a household light. A variety of lights can be used to attract a greater variety of moths. Note: some scientists believe that light pollution reduces a moth's attraction to light and may impact how they navigate in their natural environment.
Where can I find luna moth eggs?
As evening sets in, adult female luna moths deposit eggs, singly or in clusters, on the tops and bottoms of the leaves of a host plant. The eggs, smaller than the head of a pin, are white and faintly oval-shaped, coated in a brown adhesive to help them cling to the host plant.
Can you touch luna moths?
Luna moth caterpillars are safe to touch; however, as with most wildlife, it is better to observe from a distance. So, unless necessary, you should avoid touching a Luna moth caterpillar.
What is the rarest moth?
Cecropia moth larvae are most commonly found on maple trees, but they have also been found on cherry and birch trees among many others....Hyalophora cecropia.Cecropia mothMounted adult femaleScientific classificationKingdom:AnimaliaPhylum:Arthropoda10 more rows
How long does a luna moth live?
approximately one weekLuna moths live approximately one week after emerging from the cocoon. During this time, males can fly long distances to mate with females if necessary. Once females lay eggs, they die.
What does it mean if you see a luna moth?
Luna moths signify new beginnings as they represent a continuing quest for truth and knowledge, the gift of intuition, psychic perception and heightened awareness. Things that are associated with “seeing the light”.
Do luna moths like lights?
Like most moths, the luna moth is nocturnal and not usually seen during the day, according to the University of Michigan(Opens in a new window). They're attracted by light, so they're often spotted near street lights or lights outside of houses and buildings.
Can you keep a luna moth as a pet?
Does the Luna Moth Make a Good Pet. Luna moths do not generally make good pets. Handling them can damage their wings, so they are a hands-off pet. You can raise the larvae if you know what type of host plant they require, but you should release the adult moth so it can reproduce with its own kind.
Can you keep a moth as a pet?
3:477:44How to keep Butterflies and Moths (Weird and Wonderful Pets Episode ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can keep many many species of moth and butterfly caterpillars at home including many spectacularMoreYou can keep many many species of moth and butterfly caterpillars at home including many spectacular tropical species.
What flowers attract luna moths?
White birch is the favored host plant in the North. Black walnut, butternut, hickory, persimmon, sweetgum, alder, beech, willow, wild cherry or sumac may be chosen in other locations.
What does it mean if I see a luna moth?
Luna moths signify new beginnings as they represent a continuing quest for truth and knowledge, the gift of intuition, psychic perception and heightened awareness. Things that are associated with “seeing the light”.
Why are luna moths so rare?
In fact, the use of pesticides, loss of habitat, and pollution are some of the reasons the moth is a rare sight. Although the luna moth larvae are large caterpillars that feed on the leaves of many shrubs and trees, their populations don't grow large enough to be a source of significant damage or destruction.
What does it mean when a moth visits you?
Moths often appear to be dancing around the light sources. This may be an indication that you should not take things too seriously. It may be a reminder for you to bring happiness or pleasure back in your life, no matter the darkness outside.
Are moths good luck?
Chinese and Japanese people consider them bad luck. They associate moths to the death and the souls of dead people. The Native American tribes believe that moths are the messenger of death. They don't celebrate it if a moth is hovering around them for no reason.
Where do Luna moths live?
This moth species dwells only in North America. They live as far west as the Great Plains, and as far east as the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. In the United States one might find them from Maine, all the way down to Florida. In Canada, they live from Nova Scotia to Quebec and Saskatchewan.
What is a Luna moth?
Luna Moth. Luna moths are large, beautifully colored insects. They have bright green wings and white, fuzzy bodies. Their large wings have long “tails” that sprout from the base, giving them a unique, elegant appearance.
What are Luna moths' features?
These beautiful moths are actually incredibly interesting. They have a number of useful adaptations and odd traits. Eyespots – Like many moths and butterflies, Luna moths have eyespots on their wings. Eyespots are round marks on the wings that resemble eyes.
How many eggs do Luna moths lay?
The antennas are so impressive that they can detect a female from over a mile away. After mating, female moths lay between 200 and 400 eggs. She lays the eggs one by one, or in small groups, on the leaves of the preferred host plant.
What is the life cycle of a Luna butterfly?
Luna Lifecycle – Like most butterflies and moths, this species undergoes metamorphosis to achieve its final shape. The female lays eggs, which hatch into larvae. These larvae will feed on leaves, and undergo five different molts as they grow larger. After their final molt, the larvae spins a cocoon out of silk and enters the pupae stage. Finally, after they transform in the pupae stage, the moth emerges as an imago, or its final adult form.
What is the purpose of the Luna Moth?
The eggs hatch, and the primary purpose of the larvae is to eat, and eat… and eat… and eat! Once they go through their pupae stage and emerge as an adult, the primary purpose of this insect is to reproduce.
Do Luna moths have wing tails?
In addition to their aesthetic appeal, these wing tails actually serve a purpose. Scientists believe the wing tails disrupt the echolocation of bats, one of the more skilled predators of Luna moths. Mouth Off – Even though, upon close inspection, you can see mouthparts on these moths, they serve no purpose.
What is a Luna moth?
Luna moths are a large green silkworm moth. Its body is often white. They are nocturnal so humans don't get to see them very often. You'll occasionally see them flying around a porch light if you're out after dark. The markings on their wings resemble a moon…hence the name. They have a wingspan of 4.5-7.0 inches. Their uniqueness makes them special in the eyes of many!!!
How to see a Luna Moth?
Depending on the part of its range, Actias luna my have multiple brood. The Best way to observe a Luna Moth would be to set up UV black lights and or Mercury Vapor lights. Using white bed sheets as a background the lights will attract a huge variety of moths and other night flying insects. The lights should be set up during the new moon cycle to produce the largest variety of night flying insec
Why is the Luna moth declining?
The Luna moth’s declining numbers in some areas can be attributed to a variety of factors, including parasitic predation ( the Tachnid fly introduced in some areas to prey on gypsy moths and tent caterpillars also attacks the Luna moth caterpillar,) foliar spraying and habitat destruction.
How to catch moths in the house?
Just catch it under a cup, put a piece of paper on top of it (however you do run the risk of damaging its wings this way if the moth or butterfly panics and smashes into the paper so it might be better to use a soft cloth, something it can cling to with its feet) and then take it outside.
What is the difference between a moth and a butterfly?
Their pupal stage (between the larva and adult stages) is slightly different, too. Here, moths make cocoons that are wrapped in silk coverings. Butterflies, on the other hand, form chrysalises, which are hard, smooth and silkless.
When is Luna the best place to go?
In general, if it’s an adult Luna you’re looking for, the best place is around electric lights either late at night or just before dawn. They are very strongly attracted to light.
Where do moths live?
The moths are found east of the Great Plains from Florida to as far north as Nova Scotia. In the northern part of their range - roughly from Michigan north, they are single brooded, with the adults emerging in the early spring. Adults typically live only a couple of weeks, so if you miss that window, there won’t be any more until the following year. In the southern parts of their range they may have two or three broods a year, so the adults will be present throughout the spring and summer months.
Why are luna moths so rare?
In fact, the use of pesticides, loss of habitat, and pollution are some of the reasons the moth is a rare sight. Although the luna moth larvae are large caterpillars that feed on the leaves of many shrubs and trees, their populations don't grow large enough to be a source of significant damage or destruction.
How many generations does a luna moth have?
Seen primarily during spring and early summer, the moth typically produces two generations each year. Male luna moths are particularly strong fliers and may fly over relatively long distances. Female luna moths release a sex-attractant pheromone that is used to attract the male moth from a great distance.
How long does it take for a luna moth to molt?
The luna moth molts about five times for three to four weeks until it is about 2.5 inches long. At this time, it begins spinning a silken cocoon wrapped in a leaf.
What are the enemies of the Luna moth?
The luna moth's natural enemies are many, and include nocturnal creatures: Bald-faced hornets. Bats.
How do luna moths cut their way out of cocoons?
A luna moth cuts its way out of a cocoon using tiny serrated spurs on its wings. Usually emerging in the morning, the moth hangs and rests through the day to allow its wings to inflate with blood before it flies off at night to seek a mate.
What is the name of the moth that deters predators?
Predators of the Luna Moth. During its caterpillar stage, it deters predators by rearing its front end in a "sphinx-like" stance, making a clicking noise with its mandibles, and regurgitating a distasteful fluid.
What are some good plants to grow with luna moths?
Here are favorites trees of the luna moth, and along with the many flowering plants they are attracted to, such as honeysuckle and impatiens, you'll find plenty of specimens to create a beautiful moth garden : American beech. American chestnut. Black cherry.
Who is Luna Moth?
In Michael Chabon 's 2000 novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, a crowd of New Yorkers gather around a maple tree in Union Square to look at a resting Luna moth, which then becomes the inspiration for a fictional female superhero, Luna Moth, created by the eponymous protagonists.
What do luna moths eat?
The larvae of Luna moths feed on several different species of broadleaf trees. The larvae do not reach population densities sufficient to cause significant damage to their host trees. Tuskes listed white birch ( Betula papyrifera ), American persimmon ( Diospyros virginiana) and American sweet gum ( Liquidambar styraciflua ), plus several species of hickory ( Carya ), walnut ( Juglans) and sumac ( Rhus ). Other tree species have been identified as suitable for Actias luna larvae, but a feeding experiment that also included black cherry, cottonwood, quaking aspen, white willow, red oak, white oak and tulip tree reported very poor survival on these seven tree species even though older literature had identified them as hosts. The author suggested that host plant utilization may differ regionally, so that larvae collected from one region may not tolerate host plants readily consumed in another region. Biochemical detoxification of host plant defensive chemicals by digestive system enzymes may be a factor in regional host plant specialization. Juglone is a chemical compound common to walnut and hickory which most insects find a deterrent or even toxic. Luna moth larvae have higher concentrations of juglone-neutralizing digestive system enzymes compared to other lepidoptera, and concentrations were even higher when larvae were fed walnut or hickory leaves versus white birch or American sweet gum. This suggests evolutionary and inducible adaptations to allow consumption of certain host plants.
Why do moon moths have long tails?
Imagos (winged adults) of this and related night-flying Actias species collectively referred to as "moon moths" have long hindwing tails. A "false target" hypothesis holds that the tails evolved as a means of reducing risk of predation by bats which use echolocation to locate prey. Experiments were conducted with Luna moths with intact wings and with the tails removed. With intact wings, a majority of the attacking bats contacted the hindwing tails rather than the body of the moth; only 35% of intact moths were caught versus 81% for those with clipped tails. The results of this experiment support echolocation distortion as an effective countermeasure.
What is the moon moth?
The Luna moth ( Actias luna) also known as the American moon moth is a Nearctic moth in the family Saturniidae, subfamily Saturniinae, a group commonly known as giant silk moths. It has lime-green colored wings and a white body. The larvae (caterpillars) are also green. Typically, it has a wingspan of roughly 114 mm (4.5 in), but can exceed 178 mm (7.0 in), making it one of the larger moths in North America. Across Canada, it has one generation per year, with the winged adults appearing in late May or early June, whereas farther south it will have two or even three generations per year, the first appearance as early as March in southern parts of the United States.
What is the only moth?
Although more than two dozen butterflies have been so honored, as of 2019 this is the only moth. The American rock band R.E.M. references Luna moths in their song "You" off of their 1994 album Monster . The Icelandic singer/songwriter Björk references Luna moths in her song "notget" off of her 2015 album Vulnicura .
What parasitic fly causes collateral damage to Luna moth populations?
Researchers reported that when Luna moth larvae were placed outside for about a week and then collected and returned to the laboratory, four parasitoid species emerged, the most common being C. concinnata. The researchers concluded that this parasitic fly causes collateral damage to Luna moth populations.
How do Luna moths pupate?
The Luna moth pupates after spinning a silk cocoon, which is thin and single layered. Shortly before pupation, the final, fifth-instar caterpillar will engage in a "gut dump" where any excess water and intestinal contents are expelled. As pupae, this species is more physically active than most moths. When disturbed, the moths will wiggle within their pupal cases, producing a noise. Pupation takes approximately two weeks unless the individual is in diapause over winter, in which case the pupal stage takes about nine months. The mechanisms triggering diapause are generally a mixture of genetic triggers, duration of sunlight and temperature. The pupae have chitinous spurs near the base of the forewings. By vigorously moving about within the cocoon, these spurs tear a circular opening from which the imago emerges, the silk of the cocoon having also been weakened by the secretion of cocoonase, a protein-digesting enzyme.
What flowers are luna moths attracted to?
Luna moths are attracted to a variety of flowers, but they are especially drawn to those with white petals.
What is a luna moths favorite food?
Luna moths are nocturnal creatures that are most active at night. Their favorite food is the leaves of the deciduous tree, on which they primarily feed. Luna moths are attracted to light, so they are often seen near porch lights or street lights.
How do I find a luna moth?
There are a few ways that you can go about finding a luna moth. Perhaps the easiest way to find one of these moths is to simply go outside at night and look for them.
Is it rare to see a luna moth?
Luna moths are one of the most beautiful – and largest – moths in North America. They are also quite rare, which might surprise some people. In fact, the luna moth is listed as “vulnerable” in some parts of its range. Luna moths are most often found in hardwood forests in the eastern United States.
Where to buy luna moth eggs
Luna moth eggs can be found for sale online from a variety of retailers. Prices vary depending on the supplier, but typically range from $10 to $30 per egg.
Conclusion
Luna moths are beautiful, nocturnal creatures that are attracted to light. If you want to attract them to your yard or garden, here are a few tips: 1. Plant trees that they like to eat: linden, basswood, or tulip trees. 2. Put up a light near where you want to see them.
Where can I find Luna moths?
You can sometimes see them in Southern Canada. Luna moths are large enough, that you would see the shadow of them flying by, or could darken a room if they landed on a light bulb!
Where do Luna moths live?
The habitat you will most often find the Luna moth is deciduous woodland in North America, although there are fewer in Canada. The foliage of trees like birch, willow and alder, walnut (or juglans nigra), persimmon (or diospyros virginiana), and sweet gum (liquidambar stryaciflua) are the food the larva feed off of.
What color are the larvae of a Luna moth?
The larva of the Luna moth are bright green (see video below) and have narrow yellow lines on them. There is a band of yellowish spiracles, and some reddish colored tubercles on each side. some have observed raised pink spots, and this can vary from region to region. The head of the caterpillar is a brownish color.
How long does it take for a luna moth to call?
The calling time for the luna moth (and for many moths) is when pheromones are released. The time frame for luna moths is two to three hours long.
What color are the wings of a lizard?
It ranges from 3 to 4.5 inches and the name is technically Actias Luna (Linnaeus). Its wings are a pale green, and has delicate tail streamers. The wings are broad, and have a reddish rust color along the edges of both the fore wings and hind wings.
How long do Saturniidae stay in a mating position?
Once in a mating position, they can stay there for up to 20 hours.
When do caterpillars emerge from cocoons?
The adults will emerge from their cocoons in April, usually. Their cocoon is often found in leaf litter. The eggs will be laid on hickory, walnut, and possibly a few other trees, as was covered before. When the caterpillar is ready to make its cocoon, it uses silk and leaves to do so.
Where do luna moths live?
You might never have seen one in person, but if you live in the eastern half of North America, it's likely a luna moth lives not far from you.
What do luna moths eat?
As babies they're fat, segmented, lime-green caterpillars that prefer certain foods: the leaves of hickory, birch, persimmon, sweet gum, walnut and sumac trees. In northern latitudes, there is only one new generation of luna moths born each summer, between the months of May and July, but in the southernmost parts of their range (the eastern U.S., ...
What is the most charismatic mega moth?
You might not love to hang out with bugs, but some insects are real knockouts. Take the luna moth ( Actias luna ), maybe the most charismatic mega-moth of them all. You might never have seen one in person, but if you live in the eastern half of North America, it's likely a luna moth lives not far from you.
Why are moths so hard to catch?
Part of the reason they're hard to come by is that, like the vast majority of moths, they're active only at night, so unless you're walking around in the dark in a deciduous forest, it's hard to catch them in action .
Where do Luna moths live?from hgic.clemson.edu
Luna moths thrive in eastern North America, as far west as Texas, and a large portion of southeastern Canada.
What color are Luna moths?from hgic.clemson.edu
Spring generation Luna moths are a vivid sea-foam green color, while generations that follow throughout the remainder of the year are yellow in color.
How many generations do Luna moths produce?from hgic.clemson.edu
Luna moths that live and breed in Canada and the northern bordering states produce one generation (brood) per year (May-July). Farther south, through the Ohio River Valley, Luna moths produce two generations per year.
What is the moon moth?from hgic.clemson.edu
The Luna Moth ( Actias luna ), with its incredible size (3-4.5-inch wingspan), sea-foam green to yellow color, and long tails, is one of the most spectacular moths found in North America. Also known as the American Moon Moth, Luna moths are common throughout South Carolina.
What is the name of the moon goddess?from hgic.clemson.edu
The name is derived from Luna, the Roman moon goddess. Luna moths are considered saturniid moths, referring to the use of wing patterns as a defense mechanism against predators. Like most moths, Luna moths are predominately active at night (nocturnal), but sightings during daylight hours do occur.
What are the caterpillars on a tree?from hgic.clemson.edu
The caterpillars are herbivores that feed on the foliage of many types of trees . This includes alder, birch, beech, red maple, white oak, wild cherry, hazelnut, hickories, pecan, walnut, persimmon, sweetgum, willows, and smooth sumac. In northern regions, the caterpillars prefer white birch, whereas hickories, walnut, persimmon, and sweet gum are favorites in the south. The Luna moth caterpillar molts five times over 3-4 weeks before settling on a plant to spin a cocoon. The cocoon, containing the pupa, is usually spun in a tree over a 2-3-week period. The cocoon later falls to the ground among the leaf litter, where it is conveniently camouflaged and protected from the harsh conditions of winter. In appearance, the cocoon is thin and papery, comprised of silk and leaf pieces.
Why do Luna moths lose their tails?from hgic.clemson.edu
Luna moths commonly lose hindwing tails when attacked by a predator.
Appearance
Description
- The wings have two sections, the larger forewing, which is closer to the head; and the smaller hind wing, which is closer to the rear. Each wing has two eyespots, one on the forewing and one on the hind wing. The eyespots are oval shaped, and can be black, blue, white, green, red, or yellow.
Significance
- These beautiful moths are actually incredibly interesting. They have a number of useful adaptations and odd traits.
Diet
- These moths do not require a specific feeding area as an adult, because they do not eat! However, they will seek certain areas that house preferred species of plants when they lay their eggs. Adult Luna moths do not eat at all, as their mouthparts are non-functional. The only time these insects eat is during their larval stage. As discussed above, larvae from different regions will feed on diff…
Distribution
- This moth species dwells only in North America. They live as far west as the Great Plains, and as far east as the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. In the United States one might find them from Maine, all the way down to Florida. In Canada, they live from Nova Scotia to Quebec and Saskatchewan. These moths live nowhere else in the world.
Life cycle
- The behavior of this species is relatively simple. The eggs hatch, and the primary purpose of the larvae is to eat, and eat and eat and eat! Once they go through their pupae stage and emerge as an adult, the primary purpose of this insect is to reproduce. They no longer feed, and will release hormones to attract a mate. On average, the adult form lives only 7 10 days.
Reproduction
- Male Luna moths have large antenna that help them detect the pheromones of females. The antennas are so impressive that they can detect a female from over a mile away. After mating, female moths lay between 200 and 400 eggs. She lays the eggs one by one, or in small groups, on the leaves of the preferred host plant. After about a week the eggs hatch, and the larvae begin e…
Overview
Morphology
- The luna is one of the largest of moths in North America with a wingspan of 4 1/2 inches, and can be identified by its physical characteristics:
Life cycle
- Seen primarily in spring and early summer, the moth will generally produce two generations in a year. In early spring, a luna moth will emerge from a cocoon in which it spent the winter in. Once the moth mates and lays its eggs, it will die. In about 10 days, the eggs will hatch into caterpillars and immediately begin to feed, grow, and molt. The luna moth caterpillar will feed, grow, and mo…
Behavior
- Generally emerging in the morning, the moth will rest and hang through the day to allow its wings to inflate with its blood before flying off at night to seek a mate. Male luna moths are particularly strong fliers and may fly over relatively long distances. Female luna moths release a sex-attractant pheromone that is used to attract the male moth from a great distance. The mating u…
Ecology
- Although the luna moth larvae are large caterpillars that feed on the leaves of many shrubs and trees, their populations don't grow large enough to cause significant damage or destruction. Because there are so few, and they are a nocturnal insect, it is very rare for people to see this unique moth. Its name, \"Luna,\" meaning moon, is attributed both to its nocturnal nature as well …
Conservation
- Due to its beauty, the luna moth is not considered a pest, and control efforts are not needed or desirable. In fact, the use of pesticides, loss of habitat, and pollution are some of the reasons it is endangered. If you see a lunar moth in its natural habitat, consider yourself lucky for seeing an endangered species.
Overview
The Luna moth (Actias luna) also known as the American moon moth is a Nearctic moth in the family Saturniidae, subfamily Saturniinae, a group commonly known as giant silk moths. It has lime-green colored wings and a white body. The larvae (caterpillars) are also green. Typically, it has a wingspan of roughly 114 mm (4.5 in), but can exceed 178 mm (7.0 in), making it one of the larger m…
Life cycle
Based on the climate in which they live, Luna moths produce different numbers of generations per year. In Canada and northern regions of the United States they are univoltine, meaning one generation per year. Life stages are approximately 10 days as eggs, 6–7 weeks as larvae, 2-3 weeks as pupae, finishing with one week as winged adults appearing in late May or early June. In the mid-Atlantic …
Description
Eggs, attached in small groups to undersides of leaves, are mottled white and brown, slightly oval, and roughly 1.5 millimeters in diameter. Larvae are primarily green, with sparse hairs. The first instar, emerging from the egg, reaches a length of 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in), the second 9–10 mm (0.35–0.39 in), the third 12–16 mm (0.47–0.63 in) and the fourth 23–26 mm (0.91–1.02 in). The fifth (final) instar grows to approximately 70–90 mm (2.8–3.5 in) in length. Small, colorful dots …
Etymology
Described and named Phalena plumata caudata by James Petiver in 1700, this was the first North American saturniid to be reported in the insect literature. The initial Latin name, which roughly translates to "brilliant, feather tail", was replaced when Carl Linnaeus described the species in 1758 in the tenth edition of Systema Naturae, and renamed it Phalaena luna, later Actias luna, with luna derived from Luna, the Roman moon goddess. The common name became "Luna moth". Several …
Distribution
The Luna moth is found in North America, from east of the Great Plains in the United States – Florida to Maine, and from Saskatchewan eastward through central Quebec to Nova Scotia in Canada. Luna moths are also rarely found in Western Europe as vagrants.
Predators and parasites
Some species of giant silk moth larvae are known to make clicking noises when attacked by rubbing their serrated mandibles together. These clicks are audible to humans and extend into ultrasound frequencies audible to predators. Clicks are thought to be a form of aposematic warning signaling, made prior to predator-deterring regurgitation of intestinal contents. Luna moth larvae click and regurgitate, with the regurgitated material confirmed as being a predator deterre…
Host plants
The larvae of Luna moths feed on several different species of broadleaf trees. The larvae do not reach population densities sufficient to cause significant damage to their host trees. Tuskes listed white birch (Betula papyrifera), American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) American sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), plus several species of hickory (Carya), walnut (Juglans) and sumac (Rhus) as host plants for the caterpillars. Other tree species have been identified as suita…
In popular culture
The Luna moth appeared on a first class United States postage stamp issued in June 1987. Although more than two dozen butterflies have been so honored, as of 2019 this is the only moth.
The American rock band R.E.M. references Luna moths in two songs: "You" from their 1994 album Monster and "Boy in the Well" from their 2004 album Around the Sun.
The band Big Thief references the Luna moth on their song "Strange" from the 2019 album U.F.O.F.