Luna Moths

by Jason Kissel, executive director, ACRES Land Trust

DESCRIPTION: Luna moths, Actias luna, measure 3-4” wide and 5-6” long. The moths are primarily lime green, with wings bordered by a dark purple margin and contain very pronounced eye spots. They have long, sweeping hindwings that resemble a tail. The antennae of male luna moths are much larger and bushier than the female’s, otherwise the sexes look very similar. HABITAT: Luna moths prefer to live within a deciduous forest—the type of forest most prevalent in LAKElife Country. The moths are particularly attracted to hickory, walnut, sweet gum, and persimmon trees. These trees are host plants (plants they like to eat) during their caterpillar phase.

LIFE CYCLE: A luna moth begins life as a tiny egg hanging from the bottom of a leaf. The leaf protects the egg from direct sunlight and rain. The egg hatches into a caterpillar that goes through several larva stages before over-wintering in a cocoon. The adult moth emerges between May and August. The moth finds a mate and the process repeats. HOW TO VIEW: Since luna moths are active at night and attracted to light, try hanging a white sheet from a tree, or leave a light on within a forest at night. Check your sheet or light periodically through the night, or before sunrise the next morning. The peak month to view adult luna moths in LAKElife Country is July, so get out there tonight!

Luna Moths:

• were named after Luna, the

Roman goddess of the moon • live only about a week as an adult moth • have no mouths as adults and therefore cannot eat • are a favorite food source of bluejays and mockingbirds • lay nearly 200 eggs, often under a single leaf • tend to mate after midnight, often for several hours

ACRES Land Trust is a member-supported nonprofit organization that protects over 7,300 acres of natural and working land in northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio and southern Michigan. More than 2,000 ACRES members make it possible to keep these places protected forever and offer trails for free public use. Learn more at acreslandtrust.org.