Luna Moth

One of the most striking moths in North America, and one most people will never see. Adults live for about a week, fly only at night, and never eat.

Rarely Seen

A luna moth with its pale green wings spread over purple orchids — 01 Wings
Pale lime green, about 8 to 11.5 cm across, with one eyespot on each wing.

A luna moth hanging under white mountain laurel flowers — 02 Tails
The long tails on its back wings may help it escape bats.

A luna moth resting among dried wildflowers — 03 Edges
The front edge of each wing is lined in a thin band of maroon to brown.

A luna moth flying in the dark — 04 Night
Adults only fly after dark, which is why so few people see one.

A luna moth resting on dark river stones — 05 One Week
Adults have no working mouth and never eat. They live off energy stored as caterpillars.

Etymology

1700
Phalena plumata caudata

The first name, given by James Petiver. It roughly means "brilliant feather tail."
1758
Phalaena luna

Carl Linnaeus renamed it in the tenth edition of Systema Naturae.
Today
Actias luna

Luna comes from the Roman moon goddess, which gave it the common name luna moth.

The luna moth was the first North American giant silk moth to be written about in insect books. Several of its relatives were also named after Roman or Greek mythology.

Life Cycle

01 Egg
Laid on leaves of walnut, hickory, and birch. Hatches in about a week.
02 Caterpillar
Eats and grows for six to seven weeks, shedding its skin five times.
03 Cocoon
Rests for about two weeks, or all winter in colder places.
04 Moth
Comes out with wings and lives for only seven to ten days.