Luna Moth – Actias luna
Posted by WiseAcre on May 15th, 2009
2009
May 15
A friend brought me a Luna Moth that had an unfortunate chance meeting with some unknown predator. The tail on one of the rear wings was torn off and it could no longer fly. We’re just guessing but we think a bat might have had a go at it since it was at night when he found it.
Actias luna
Family: Wild Silk Moths – Subfamily: Giant Silkworm Moths
This is a large moth with a wingspan between 3 and 4 inches. The hindwings have long curving tails and each wing has an eye spot.
What I find fascinating is their HDTV capable antenas.
click for larger image (1024 x 768)
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May 15th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Now this is an amazing creature I have never met face to face with yet !
It almost looks unreal it is so strange … then again … not too many people have seen me with a wing and leg torn off ….. yet ? LOL
It is an education following your blog Mr. WiseA** … thank you ? : )
May 15th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
wow. those antennas are amazing.
May 15th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
That first one almost looks like a plant. Great camouflage. I guess it wasn’t good enough though. I noticed the antennas as soon as I saw them. The legs remind me of a spider.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Those pictures really take me back – when I was a kid (a LONG time ago) we saw Luna Moths and other large moths regularly, but I haven’t seen the Luna or Cecropia moths for probably 20 years around here. I’m so glad they’re still around somewhere! They are wonderful creatures.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Wow, that’s really amazing! So, how big are they? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one, but I do go to bed around 9…
May 16th, 2009 at 6:10 am
I start to think how the biology classes in the schools are carried out.
We certainly do not need any microscope with you around.
May 16th, 2009 at 7:17 am
I have never seen one of these before. I love coming here to see all your amazing pics!
May 16th, 2009 at 7:38 am
I found one, once, struggling in the driveway, pretty mangled too. Might have been the cats or the natural course of its short existence (7 day life span). Beautiful creature.
Have not seen a Cecropia moth. Thanks for mentioning it, Sande. What a striking specimen as well (both moth and caterpillar).
Another dose of encyclopedic knowledge. I love it !
TY.
May 16th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Those antennas are just bizarre! (I mean that in a good way.)
May 17th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Those photos are amazing! I saw a luna moth the first summer we had out house in PA (16 years ago). Every year I cross my fingers and hope I’ll see another, but no luck. Thanks for these.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I just happen to be sitting on my couch about a half an hour ago and heard a commotion outside. As I looked towards the light on my back deck I saw this flopping creature flying around looking as if it were in distress. Mind you I have a cat that showed up on my back deck one day and hasn’t left since. So I thought she was bringing me a present. I look and realize it is a moth I’ve only ever seen once before, it was flapping around and for the moth’s sake kitty did not get it. I picked it up in a cup and stuck it in my flower bed on the deck and came in. I began to search the computer and realized what a treat it is to see this creature, so I grabbed the camera went back out and it was gone..nowhere to be found….dang the luck of me..seeing something so beautiful and not grabbing the camera quick enough. Next time!!!
June 13th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I had the opportunity to see one last night and it was beautiful I’m so hoping to see one again. It’s one of God’s beautiful creations.
June 17th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
i have seen two of these amazingly large moths in the last 6 weeks. Wing span of 5 to 6 inches! I did get some pictures of one with my phone (not great)
June 27th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Today my cousin was yelling calling my name and i ran saying what what what!? and a large lime/albino Luna Moth landed on him its pretty early in the morning right now but I think it was attacked at the end of its wings they look shredded. We removed the moth from the shirt and it was shaking really bad I don’t know if i should say scared? I don’t want to sound like a dumbass but yea hehe when we let it free it was struggling to fly it looked like it was trying with all it’s might! but then a big freakin bird flew over and we yelled NooOoOooOoo and we ran towards the Moth. we saved it from the nasty bird that wanted to eat it. (I know moths last for so long) So since these moths do no eat in Adult hood and are only set out to breed I’m keeping it inside my house until it gets dark enough to release it so it can find a mate. If i leave it out in the daylight it would not have a chance it would be eaten before ever finding a mate! so yes
May 25th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
to the guy who runs the site.
i am a minor insect hunter (i go for some of the harder to get ones). i live in NH. i have come across 14 in about 1 weeks time. these moths attracted to ultraviolet light. [this light seems to outweigh the females' pheremones - all i saw where males around my little light] what’s your take on that?
June 6th, 2010 at 1:26 am
I managed to catch one last night between my glass door and screen door. It started bumping into the windows of my cabin. I thought it was a bat at first. I kept it around to show my brother this morning, took a few photos of it and then set if free. It was a bit lethargic at first but then it flew off with no problems.
June 6th, 2010 at 1:27 am
I’m up on Champlain in Vermont. Must be the right time of year. Plus I’m always up late. I have some more pics of anyone wants them.
August 3rd, 2010 at 6:41 pm
August 2,2010
Pulled up to a Dunkin Donuts this morning for a coffee. The man handed me my coffee through the window and asked if I ever saw a lunar moth before. I said I cant be sure since I dont know what they look like. Well there on the side of the window in broad daylight was an enormous beautiful green moth clinging to the building. It was definitely my first lunar experience. Came home to google them and this website popped up. Wish I had a camera. It was a Kodak moment to be sure.