Some fun facts about luna moths (because I love them so much):
Luna moths are a member of the Saturnid family, which includes the world’s largest moth - the Atlas moth!
Luna moths generally have one spawning season per year, but in the southern reaches of their range can have several cycles in a single year. I don’t remember ever seeing one in October before now, so I was very lucky to witness this one. I actually saw another one flying in the same spot less than a month before I saw this one.
The imago (adult) stage of their life cycle is short, as (like other saturnids) mature luna moths do not have mouths, thus must live entirely off of stored fat they made as caterpillars. They typically only survive a few days, which is just long enough to mate and produce eggs.
Luna moths’ (as well as most moths - not just saturnids) sexes can be determined by observing their antennae. Both sexes of luna moth have what are known as “plumose” (feathery) antennae, however the males’ antennae are much fluffier than the females. The setae (hair-like-structures) on males’ antennae are longer than those on the females, which is the giveaway for which is which. I’m fairly confident this specimen on my arm was a female, though I admit I took my college entomology classes well over a year ago and could be misidentifying this one. Anyway, there are many sorts of antennae, each of which serves different purposes - most of which I admit I fail to remember - but if I remember correctly, the plumose antennae specialize in picking up pheromones, which is why the males have larger antennae than the females! It allows them to home in on the ladies.
That’s all I can think of off the top of my head that I know for certain about luna moths, I hope you enjoyed these fun facts!
Lydian66 on October 18th, 2021 at 09:08 UTC »
Very pretty and a big honor too , what species is it ?
Boring_Concentrate74 on October 18th, 2021 at 09:25 UTC »
It’s trying to eat your clothes me thinks /s
OREOSTUFFER on October 18th, 2021 at 11:13 UTC »
Some fun facts about luna moths (because I love them so much):
Luna moths are a member of the Saturnid family, which includes the world’s largest moth - the Atlas moth!
Luna moths generally have one spawning season per year, but in the southern reaches of their range can have several cycles in a single year. I don’t remember ever seeing one in October before now, so I was very lucky to witness this one. I actually saw another one flying in the same spot less than a month before I saw this one.
The imago (adult) stage of their life cycle is short, as (like other saturnids) mature luna moths do not have mouths, thus must live entirely off of stored fat they made as caterpillars. They typically only survive a few days, which is just long enough to mate and produce eggs.
Luna moths’ (as well as most moths - not just saturnids) sexes can be determined by observing their antennae. Both sexes of luna moth have what are known as “plumose” (feathery) antennae, however the males’ antennae are much fluffier than the females. The setae (hair-like-structures) on males’ antennae are longer than those on the females, which is the giveaway for which is which. I’m fairly confident this specimen on my arm was a female, though I admit I took my college entomology classes well over a year ago and could be misidentifying this one. Anyway, there are many sorts of antennae, each of which serves different purposes - most of which I admit I fail to remember - but if I remember correctly, the plumose antennae specialize in picking up pheromones, which is why the males have larger antennae than the females! It allows them to home in on the ladies.
That’s all I can think of off the top of my head that I know for certain about luna moths, I hope you enjoyed these fun facts!