Actias luna

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Luna Moth, North American Luna Moon Moth

Actias luna, the Luna moth, is a large, lime-green saturniid native to North America, recognized as one of the continent's most visually striking insects. possess a wingspan reaching up to 114 mm (4.5 inches), with distinctive elongated hindwing tails and prominent eyespots that may confuse . The exhibits strong : males have highly feathery for detecting female , while females have slender antennae and larger . Larvae feed on a variety of broadleaf trees including sweetgum, hickory, walnut, birch, and sumac. The moth is in northern portions of its range, with larvae in leaf-litter-camouflaged cocoons before emerging as adults in spring; southern may produce two or three annually.

Actias luna by (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay. Used under a CC-BY license.

Actias luna by (c) Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋）, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋）. Used under a CC-BY license.

Actias luna by no rights reserved, uploaded by Bruce Cook. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Actias luna: //ˈæktiəs ˈluːnə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The Luna moth is immediately recognizable by its pale lime-green wings, long, tapering hindwing tails (up to 8 cm), and large, circular eyespots on each wing—transparent with dark borders on the forewings and dark-centered with yellow rings on the hindwings. lack functional mouthparts and do not feed. Males are distinguished by their broadly bipectinate (feathery) , while females possess simple, antennae. The robust body is white and densely hairy. Larvae are bright green with pale lateral stripes, raised yellow , and a pale green ; mature caterpillars reach approximately 8 cm in length. Similar large green saturniids include the Imperial moth (Eacles imperialis), which lacks tails and has more variable coloration, and the Cynthia (Samia cynthia), an introduced with more rounded wings and shorter tails.

Images

Habitat

Deciduous and mixed hardwood forests, suburban woodlots, and riparian corridors where trees occur. Found from southern Canada through the eastern United States to eastern Texas and Florida. are frequently attracted to artificial lighting at night, often resulting in mortality or displacement from natural .

Distribution

Nearctic region: eastern North America from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta in Canada south through the eastern United States to Florida and eastern Texas. Absent from the western Great Plains and most of the western United States.

Seasonality

emerge in spring (April–June in northern range), with peak activity varying by latitude. Southern may have multiple with adults present from March through September. Northern populations are , with a single emerging after winter pupal .

Diet

: non-feeding; lack functional mouthparts and survive on stored larval fat reserves. Larvae: folivorous, feeding on leaves of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), hickory (Carya spp.), walnut (Juglans spp.), birch (Betula spp.), sumac (Rhus spp.), persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), and occasionally other hardwoods.

Life Cycle

Complete with four stages. laid on plant leaves; larvae progress through five instars over 3–4 weeks. Mature larvae descend to ground and spin dense, oval cocoons incorporating leaves for camouflage, entering for winter. Pupal stage lasts 2–3 weeks in spring, triggered by warming temperatures and cues. lifespan is approximately one week; sole purpose is .

Behavior

are strictly , with males actively flying to locate females using detection via their . Both sexes are strongly attracted to artificial light sources, a that frequently results in disorientation, exhaustion, and . When disturbed, adults may rotate wings rapidly to confuse ; the hindwing eyespots may direct attacks toward the tails, which can be autotomized without fatal injury. Larvae are solitary feeders.

Ecological Role

Larval herbivore on hardwood trees; source for insectivorous birds, small mammals, and . serve as prey for bats and birds. Documented for the braconid parasitoid wasp Cotesia nuellorum in Texas. The ' dense, robust cocoons contribute to leaf litter decomposition dynamics.

Human Relevance

Highly valued in entomological education and outreach due to its striking appearance and non-threatening nature; frequently featured in museum exhibits and school programs. Subject of extensive folklore, including positive symbolic associations with and rebirth, countering typical negative stereotypes. Occasionally reared by hobbyists. Light pollution poses significant conservation concern, as artificial lighting disrupts natural and causes substantial mortality.

Similar Taxa

Eacles imperialis (Imperial Moth)Large size and green coloration overlap, but lacks hindwing tails, has more variable color patterns (yellow, orange, or brown variants), and possesses functional mouthparts as .
Antheraea polyphemus (Polyphemus Moth)Similar large size and hindwing eyespots, but tan to brown coloration, more rounded wings, and shorter, less tapered tails.
Actias dubernardi (Chinese Moon Moth)Convergent appearance with long tails and green coloration, but Asian distribution, more pinkish wing bases, and different plant associations.
Samia cynthia (Cynthia Moth)Introduced to North America; green with tails but more rounded wing shape, shorter tails, and distinct dark postmedian lines on wings.