Luna Moth

The Luna Moth (Actias luna) also known as the American moon moth is a Nearctic moth in the family Saturniidae, subfamily Saturniinae, a group commonly known as giant silk moths. It has a white body and wings that are lime green in color. Additionally green are the caterpillars' larvae. One of the bigger moths in North America, it typically has a wingspan of about 114 mm, but it can reach 178 mm. In Canada, there is only one generation annually, with the winged adults first showing in late May or early June. In the southern United States, however, there are two or possibly three generations annually, with the first appearance occurring as early as March.


As defense mechanisms, larvae emit clicks as a warning and can also regurgitate intestinal contents, confirmed as having a deterrent effect on a variety of predators. It is believed that the extended tails of the hindwings mislead predatory bats' echolocation detection. Luna moths and other native moths appear to have been negatively impacted by a parasite fly that was purposefully brought to North America to function as a biological control for the invasive spongy moth.

David Hampton/Shutterstock.com
David Hampton/Shutterstock.com
Finger Lakes Land Trust
Finger Lakes Land Trust

Top 10 World's Most Beautiful Moths

  1. top 1 Madagascan Sunset Moth
  2. top 2 Elephant Hawk Moth
  3. top 3 Crimson Speckled
  4. top 4 White Witch
  5. top 5 Spanish Moon Moth
  6. top 6 Cinnabar Moth
  7. top 7 Argent and Sable
  8. top 8 Luna Moth
  9. top 9 Rosy Maple Moth
  10. top 10 Atlas Moth

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