Luna Moth
Actias luna
Quick answer
The luna moth is a large, pale-green silk moth of eastern North America, with long, sweeping tails on its hindwings and a wingspan up to about 11 cm (4.5 in). Adults do not feed and live only about a week, focusing entirely on mating, while the caterpillars feed heavily on tree leaves. The trailing tails are thought to confuse the echolocation of hunting bats.
Luna Moth facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Actias luna |
|---|---|
| Diet | Caterpillars eat leaves; adults do not feed |
| Habitat | Deciduous forests of eastern North America |
| Lifespan | Adults about 1 week; full cycle a few months |
| Wingspan | Up to about 11 cm (4.5 in) |
| Tails | Long hindwing tails that confuse bats |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae |
| Genus | Actias |
Where it lives
Deciduous forests of eastern North America; a large, pale-green silk moth.
Appearance
The luna moth is among the most striking moths in North America, with broad, pale-green wings, eyespots, and long, twisting tails trailing from the hindwings. Its body is white and furry, and the antennae of males are large and feathery for detecting females. Its size and soft color make it unmistakable when it appears at lights on summer nights.
A brief adult life
Adult luna moths have no functional mouthparts and do not feed, living on energy stored during the caterpillar stage. As a result they survive only about a week, during which their sole purpose is to find a mate and reproduce. Females release pheromones to attract males, which locate them using their sensitive antennae.
Caterpillars and life cycle
Luna moth caterpillars are plump and bright green and feed heavily on the leaves of trees such as walnut, hickory, birch, and sweetgum. After eating and growing through several stages, the caterpillar spins a silken cocoon wrapped in a leaf, where it pupates. Depending on the region there may be one or several generations a year, with the final generation overwintering as a pupa.
Tails and defense
The luna moth's long hindwing tails are more than decoration: as the moth flies, the spinning tails create confusing echoes that disrupt the echolocation hunting bats use to target prey. This can cause bats to strike the harmless tails instead of the body, giving the moth a chance to escape. Their nocturnal habits also help them avoid many daytime predators.
Frequently asked questions about the Luna Moth
Why don't adult luna moths eat?
Adult luna moths have no functional mouthparts and cannot feed, relying entirely on energy stored as caterpillars. This is why they live only about a week, just long enough to mate and lay eggs.
How long do luna moths live?
The adult luna moth lives only about a week. Most of its life is spent as a caterpillar and pupa, with the whole cycle taking a few months and the final generation overwintering as a pupa.
What do luna moth caterpillars eat?
Luna moth caterpillars feed on the leaves of trees such as walnut, hickory, birch, and sweetgum. They eat heavily to build the energy reserves the non-feeding adult will rely on.
Why do luna moths have long tails?
The long hindwing tails spin as the moth flies, creating misleading echoes that confuse the echolocation of hunting bats. This can cause a bat to strike the tails rather than the body, helping the moth escape.
Are luna moths rare?
Luna moths are listed as Least Concern and are widespread in eastern North America, but they are seldom seen because they fly at night and adults live only briefly. They are not considered endangered.
Do luna moths bite or sting?
No. Luna moths are completely harmless to people. The adults cannot even feed, and neither the moths nor their caterpillars sting or bite.
