Luna moths and humans do not directly interact very frequently. Different host plants include persimmon, white birch, hickory, sumac, walnut, sweet gum, and more. The plants regional larvae can eat are called host plants. Some regions can feed on certain plants that larvae in other regions cannot, and vice versa. As discussed above, larvae from different regions will feed on different plants. The only time these insects eat is during their larval stage. Diet of the Luna MothĪdult Luna moths do not eat at all, as their mouthparts are non-functional. These moths live nowhere else in the world. In Canada, they live from Nova Scotia to Quebec and Saskatchewan. In the United States one might find them from Maine, all the way down to Florida. They live as far west as the Great Plains, and as far east as the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. This moth species dwells only in North America. Not all larvae can feed on all of those plants, and some regions can only survive on a single species of plant. The larvae will feed on white birch, hickory, sweet gum, persimmon, walnut, and sumac leaves. In different regions Luna moths will prefer different plant species to lay their eggs on. These moths do not require a specific feeding area as an adult, because they do not eat! However, they will seek certain areas that house preferred species of plants when they lay their eggs. Finally, after they transform in the pupae stage, the moth emerges as an imago, or its final adult form. After their final molt, the larvae spins a cocoon out of silk and enters the pupae stage. These larvae will feed on leaves, and undergo five different molts as they grow larger. The female lays eggs, which hatch into larvae. Luna Lifecycle – Like most butterflies and moths, this species undergoes metamorphosis to achieve its final shape.Once they evolve into the “adult” form, Luna moths do not feed. These mouthparts are vestigial, which means that they might have had use sometime in the past, but serve no purpose now. Mouth Off – Even though, upon close inspection, you can see mouthparts on these moths, they serve no purpose.Scientists believe the wing tails disrupt the echolocation of bats, one of the more skilled predators of Luna moths. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, these wing tails actually serve a purpose. Wing Tail – Instead of having perfectly rounded wings, Luna moths have long protrusions that extend from each rear wing.Scientists believe these eyespots can confuse or deter predators, which may think the animal is larger than it actually is based on the size of the “eyes.” Eyespots are round marks on the wings that resemble eyes.
Eyespots – Like many moths and butterflies, Luna moths have eyespots on their wings.They have a number of useful adaptations and odd traits. These beautiful moths are actually incredibly interesting. The eyespots are oval shaped, and can be black, blue, white, green, red, or yellow. Each wing has two eyespots, one on the forewing and one on the hind wing. The wings have two sections, the larger forewing, which is closer to the head and the smaller hind wing, which is closer to the rear.
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