Luna Moth

Insects of the Blackstone Valley

Luna MothGearhead-print-card

Not the Lunar Moth – but the Luna Moth!  It is a very large insect with a wing span of nearly 4.5 inches and a very strong flier!  The moth is the adult stage of the life cycle of an insect that also has larvae and pupa stages.

The Luna Moth is a spectacular lime green with long, curving hind wings that look like tails.  These hind wings have markings that look like eyespots, a very clever defense mechanism that the moth uses to confuse predators.

Luna moths only fly at night and they are attracted to light.

Their favorite food?  They do not feed!  They exist only for about a week and their only purpose is to find a mate.

Gearheads-outside-luna-moth
photograph by