The luna moth (Actias luna) is beautiful green with a four inch wingspan. They are nocturnal and attracted to porch lights. It is wonderful when they land on the window in the evening so we can have a nice look.
Adult moths only live about a week and do not eat so they are not attracted by nectar plants into the garden. The moth is only looking for love and a place to lay eggs. The preferred host plants are trees including walnut, hickory, sumac, persimmon, and sweet gum. When the adult selects a tree they lay around 500 little brown eggs in batches of ten or less on the leaves which hatch into caterpillars.
The caterpillars live through five instars that each last about a week. All this time they are munching away on their tree and storing up energy for metamorphosis. When the caterpillar finally forms a cocoon it uses dried leaves and silk and rests on the ground in the leaf litter below the tree. When the weather is favorable the adult moth emerges from the cocoon to find a mate.
When you are gardening for the luna moth be sure to plant their favorite host plants. Do not buy plants that are treated with insecticides or use insecticides in your garden. Especially for the luna moth, don't throw away or mulch the leaves under your tree or you may destroy the cocoon.
I hope you make space in your garden so you can enjoy this special moth.
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