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We can thank Linnaeus for the name of the luna
moth, Actias luna, an apt epithet for this, perhaps the most beautiful of
our nocturnal insects. It seems likely that Linnaeus recalled the Roman moon
goddess Luna in 1758 because of the moth’s distinctive hindwing spots –
translucent discs with a dark crescent edge, like the moon when it’s nearly
full. Perhaps he also realized that the entire moth is a living avatar of the
moon – at rest by day, on the move by night, exquisitely pale, subtle yet
spectacular.
Luna moths are
among the largest moth species in North America, with a wingspan of 3 to 4
inches. They are common in deciduous forests from Saskatchewan to Texas, and
from Nova Scotia to Florida. Scientists believe that populations of luna moths
throughout their range have adapted to prefer particular local hardwood trees
as host plants, including birch, hickory, beech, willow, and cherry.
In the northern
parts of their range, luna moths typically breed once per year in June. In the
south, luna moths breed up to three times a year. For the year’s last
generation, the shorter duration of sunlight late in the season causes the pupa
to enter diapause, a state of suspended development. Late-forming pupae fall to
the ground in autumn with the leaves that encase them, and then spend the
winter waiting in the leaf litter on the ground until the longer days of spring
signal that it’s time to emerge.
Luna moths,
especially large larvae and adults, are high-value targets for insectivores.
Therefore, luna moths have evolved remarkable adaptations to foil predators.
The caterpillars are light green, matching the color of the leaves they feed
on. But when they sense a predator about to strike, the caterpillars abandon
attempts at concealment. Instead, they rear up their heads, possibly to confuse
the predator, sometimes making a clicking sound with their mandibles, followed
by regurgitation of foul-tasting liquid.
Luna moths
likewise rely on visual camouflage as adults. Their green wings blend right in
among any cluster of broad leaves. Furthermore, the forewings have
reddish-brown leading edges that branch to teardrop-shaped spots, looking just
like twigs with little emergent buds. Therefore, people rarely find luna moths
in their natural habitats, instead encountering them most often near buildings
illuminated by artificial lights at night.
This is a
photograph of a Luna Moth that was resting on the forest floor. It was taken in
northern Florida, where Luna moths are abundant and their cocoons can be found
among the leaves of the trees. The photograph is printed on photographic
quality paper with a glossy finish. It is shipped in a cardboard folder in a
package to protect it.