Luna Moth
Actias Luna
45.8928, -66.6645
Field Notes
Description:
Actias luna is commonly known as the Luna Moth is a lime-green, Nearctic Saturniid moth in the family Saturniidae, subfamily Saturniinae.[1] It has a wingspan of up to 4.5 inches (114mm),[2] making it one of the largest moths in North America.
Habitat:
Habitat
The luna moth occurs in the forested areas of North America. They seem to prefer decidous woodlands, with trees such as the hickory, walnut, sumacs, and persimmon.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: forest
Other Habitat Features: suburban
Notes:
Life cycle
Based on the climate in which they live, the Luna Moths produce differing numbers of generations. In Canada and northern regions, they can live up to 7 days and will produce only one generation per year. These reach adulthood from early June to early July. In the northeastern United States around New Jersey or New York, the moths produce two generations each year. The first of these appear in April and May, and the second group can be seen approximately nine to eleven weeks later. In the southern United States, there can be as many as three generations. These are spaced every eight to ten weeks beginning in March.
Egg
Female Luna moths lay 100-300 eggs, 4-7 eggs at a time, on the underside of leaves , and they incubate for eight to thirteen days. The moths will lay more eggs in a favorable climate.
This is a cool video of the life cycle of the Luna Moth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atOSro3_W7c
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