National Moth Week: Luna Moth (Actias luna)
Photo of a Luna moth ( Actias luna ) by iNaturalist user iamashark in Aucilla WMA in Jefferson County on July 27, 2018 CC BY-NC 4.0 Do you remember the first time you saw a Luna moth? For many of us, it was an exciting childhood moment on a warm, humid summer night. With a wingspan up to 4.5 inches, this large, elegant green moth is a sight to behold. Named after the moon, the Luna moth is found in the eastern half of the U.S. as well as in southern Canada — nowhere else on the planet. The moths themselves do not eat, so caterpillar host plants are crucial to the survival of the species. Caterpillars feed on a variety of trees, including these native Florida trees: persimmon , sweet gum , hickories, walnuts, and sumacs. Not surprisingly, these moths are typically found in deciduous hardwood forests. While not a plant pollinator, this member of the North American silk moths (Saturnidae) provides service to ecosystems as food for bats, owls and other nocturnal pr...