Where are Luna Moth found in the wild?

Luna Moths love to hang out in forests, especially those filled with hardwood trees like birch, walnut, and hickory. You'll find them fluttering around dark and leafy areas during warm summer nights across North America, from coast to coast!

"Luna moth (Actias luna) in Leon County, Florida" by Carlowenby is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Luna Moth

Uncover the magical, glowing wonders of the night sky!

"Luna moth (Actias luna) in Leon County, Florida" by Carlowenby is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Basics

Scientific Name

Actias luna

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Location

North America

Average size

4.5 to 7 inches wingspan

diet

Birch, walnut, hickory leaves

lifespan

1 week as adult

Let’s Explore

Overview

The Luna Moth is a dazzling creature that belongs to the insect family Saturniidae. These moths can have a wingspan between 11.4 to 17.8 centimeters (4.5 to 7 inches), making them one of the largest moths in North America.
Luna Moths have stunning green wings that resemble leaves, helping them blend into their surroundings. Their beautiful coloration and large size make them a sight to behold, especially during the evening when they emerge to flutter about.
These moths have a short adult lifespan of about one week. Once they reach adulthood, they focus on mating and laying eggs before the cycle begins again.
Luna Moths do not feed as adults. Instead, they rely on the nutrients they stored during their caterpillar stage. As caterpillars, they munch on leaves from trees like birch, walnut, and hickory.
The Luna Moth is a nighttime flier, making late-night drives through forests a chance to spot their spectacular, ghostly shapes dancing in the moonlight. They are a key part of the nocturnal ecosystem, providing food for bats and other night-hunting creatures.
Next time you see a Luna Moth, remember its beauty and the important role it plays. Keep an eye out for their lovely green wings, and just think, you may have witnessed a little piece of nature's magic!

Where can you find a Luna Moth in the wild?

What does a Luna Moth eat?

How big can a Luna Moth grow?

How long does a Luna Moth typically live?

What is the conservation status of the Luna Moth?

What are the main threats to the Luna Moth?

wowzerful facts

Luna Moths are named after the moon because their pale green wings glow in the moonlight, creating an enchanting sight!

These fascinating insects beat their wings at a whopping 120 beats per minute, giving them a soft, fluttery flight that is almost like a dance!

When a male Luna Moth searches for a female, he can use his super-sensitive antennae to detect her pheromones from nearly 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away, making him a master of love!

Luna Moths have unique tails on their wings that look like extensions. These tails help confuse predators like bats, making it hard for them to catch a tasty snack!

Not only do Luna Moths look stunning, but they also have a unique way to protect themselves. When threatened, they can fold their wings to perfectly mimic leaves, helping them hide in plain sight!

These moths can only live for about one week as adults, which is just long enough to find a mate and lay eggs, proving that sometimes less really is more!

Unlike many other insects, Luna Moths do not have functioning mouths as adults. They don’t eat during this short time and rely on food they stored when they were caterpillars.

A Luna Moth's caterpillar stage is quite an adventure! As caterpillars, they can grow to over 10 centimeters (4 inches) long and eat nearly a pound of leaves!