What Are Luna Moths and Their Meaning?
A friend posted a picture on Facebook one morning of a huge green moth on a pillar of her patio. Neither of us had ever seen anything like it. It didn’t take long to locate it on Google. It was a Luna Moth, one of the largest in North America. Although, not rare, they are rarely seen.
In Canada they are found from Saskatchewan east and in the United States, east of the Great plains from Florida to Maine. In the northern part of their range they will produce one generation per year while in the southern areas there will be 2–3 generations.
They were first identified and written about in 1700 by James Petiver, the first saturniid moth in North America to be formally identified. Their name refers to their nocturnal nature and the eye spot on the wings resembling a crescent moon.
They have lime green wings and a white body. The adult wingspan is usually about 4.5” (11.4cm) but can expand to as much as 7” (17.8cm). The adult Luna moth will appear around late May/early in the northern areas, around April in the southern areas. Their livespan is 7–10 days.
With such a short lifespan, they don’t waste time on getting the mating ritual underway. The females emit a strong pheromone which males can pick up over a kilometer away. Once discovered the male (or males) will make a beeline to the waiting female. The…
