Home › Insecta › Saturniidae › Luna Moth (Actias luna)
SPECIES PROFILE
Luna Moth (Actias luna)
Actias
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Insecta
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Eastern North America from Nova Scotia to Florida and west to the Great Plains
DIET
Herbivore (larval stage only)
HABITAT
Deciduous and mixed forests across eastern North America; larvae feed on deciduous trees; adults emerge only to mate
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Insecta
ORDER
Lepidoptera
FAMILY
Saturniidae
GENUS
Actias
📋 Description
SIZE
Wingspan 7–10 cm — one of the largest moths in North America
COLORATION
Pale green wings with eyespots on all four wings; long sweeping hind wing tails; pink to white body; pink and yellow wing margins
ADAPTATIONS
Adults lack functional mouthparts — they do not eat during their adult life of 7–10 days; long hind tails are thought to redirect bat sonar away from the body
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Deciduous and mixed forests across eastern North America; larvae feed on deciduous trees; adults emerge only to mate
DIET
Herbivore (larval stage only)
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Eastern North America from Nova Scotia to Florida and west to the Great Plains
REPRODUCTION
Multiple generations per year in the South; 1–2 in the North; eggs laid on host plant leaves; larva pupates in a leaf cocoon on the ground
DIET DETAILS
Larvae feed on leaves of walnut, hickory, sumac, sweet gum, and white birch; adults do not feed
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Light pollution disrupting mating behaviour; pesticide use; introduced parasitic fly (Compsilura concinnata) targeting larvae
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The Luna Moth's long hind wing tails are thought to be a defensive adaptation — they create a confusing sonar return that redirects bat attacks away from the moth's body.
2
Adult Luna Moths have no mouth and cannot eat; they live for only 7–10 days, during which time their sole purpose is to mate and lay eggs.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Shenandoah National Park, VA, has Luna Moths visible at park facilities near deciduous forest in late spring
Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, TN, has Luna Moths around well-lit visitor facilities
Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, ME, has Luna Moths at lodges and campsites adjacent to birch and maple forest
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Late spring to summer. Adults fly April to August depending on latitude; look for them at lights near deciduous forests after warm nights.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
May and June in New England; look on lit windows and porch lights near mixed deciduous forest on warm humid evenings.
