Luna Moth
by Kristin Elmquist
Title
Luna Moth
Artist
Kristin Elmquist
Medium
Photograph
Description
Actias luna, commonly known as the Luna Moth, is a lime-green, Nearctic Saturniid moth in the family Saturniidae, subfamily Saturniinae. It has a wingspan of up to 4.5 inches (114mm), making it one of the largest moths in North America.
This moth is found in North America from east of the Great Plains in the United States to northern Mexico and from Saskatchewan eastward through central Quebec to Nova Scotia in Canada.
Based on the climate in which they live, the Luna Moths produce differing numbers of generations. In Canada and northern regions, they can live up to 7 days and will produce only one generation per year. These reach adulthood from early June to early July. In the northeastern United States around New Jersey or New York, the moths produce two generations each year. The first of these appear in April and May, and the second group can be seen approximately nine to eleven weeks later. In the southern United States, there can be as many as three generations. These are spaced every eight to ten weeks beginning in March.
Uploaded
May 18th, 2013
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Viewed 693 Times - Last Visitor from Cambridge, MA on 04/19/2024 at 12:31 PM
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Comments (12)
Kristin Elmquist
Thanks, Anita. I was so fortunate to have one land on the glass door. I understand that they are symbols of good luck. :)
Anita Faye
Kristin love this wonderful display of the Luna moth, super capture! Welcome to Groovy Butterflies group where your amazing photograph is featured!
Kristin Elmquist
Thanks, Bill. I didn't know that they meant good luck. This one only stayed for a few hours, but it was on my sliding glass door so I was fortunate to be able to photograph both sides of it. :)
Bill OConnor
Kristin --wonderful photo and story. When we moved into our new home in North Carolina (July 2005) we noticed that a luna moth was on the wall, outside, next to the front door (only 1 foot away). Even with our comings and goings it never moved. It stayed for over a week -- we were amazed. A friend told us, that in China, Luna moths bring good luck.