The following information is from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actias_lunaAdults eclose, or emerge from their cocoons in the morning. Their wings are very small when they first emerge and they must enlarge them by pumping bodily fluids through them. During this time, their wings will be soft and they must climb somewhere safe to wait for their wings to harden before they can fly away. This process takes about 2 hours to complete.
Based on the climate in which they live, the Luna moths produce differing numbers of generations. In the southern United States, there can be as many as three generations. These are spaced every eight to ten weeks beginning in March.
The Luna moth has a wingspan of between 8–11.5 cm (3-4.5 in) with long, tapering hindwings, which have eyespots on them in order to confuse potential predators. Although rarely seen due to their very brief (1 week) adult lives, Luna moths are considered common. As with all Saturniidae, the adults do not eat or have mouths. They emerge as adults solely to mate, and as such, only live approximately one week. They are more commonly seen at night
The Luna moth has a wingspan of between 8–11.5 cm (3-4.5 in) with long, tapering hindwings, which have eyespots on them in order to confuse potential predators. Although rarely seen due to their very brief (1 week) adult lives, Luna moths are considered common. As with all Saturniidae, the adults do not eat or have mouths. They emerge as adults solely to mate, and as such, only live approximately one week. They are more commonly seen at night
6 comments:
so beautiful - and thanks for the follow on my blog :)
I'll never forget the first time I saw one of these, just outside our front door. I thought surely I'd discovered some sort of new creature! Aren't they beautiful?!
Hey! When you get PS figured out, call me! ;)
Jamie
This is very cool! Thanks for sharing!
I am glad for the sake of that moths very life that we don't have them here. My daughter would just lovvvvvve it way too much.
very cool!
A lovely luna came to its last lunar phase in our yard last summer. We've been saving it in a box in our kids' "lab," and it gets trotted out to "show & tell's" from time to time.
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