Life Cycle Life Cycle. Human Connections Luna moths are often used in classrooms to teach insect life cycles. The beauty of luna moths is appreciated by anyone who is lucky enough to spot them. Ecosystem Connections Luna moth caterpillars are herbivores that graze on the vegetation of trees. The caterpillars of luna moths can make clicking noises and vomit to deter predators.
Right to Use. Luna moth caterpillars eat the foliage of walnut, hickory, persimmon, and sweet gum trees. Similar Species. Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths.
Cecropia Moth. Polyphemus Moth. Geometrid Moths. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Giant Swallowtail. Zebra Swallowtail. About Butterflies and Moths in Missouri. Butterflies, skippers, and moths belong to an insect order called the Lepidoptera — the "scale-winged" insects.
These living jewels have tiny, overlapping scales that cover their wings like shingles. The scales, whether muted or colorful, seem dusty if they rub off on your fingers.
The eggs hatch after another week, and the cycle begins anew. In the northern parts of their range, including our Finger Lakes region, luna moths typically breed once per year in June. In the south, luna moths breed up to three times a year. Luna moths, especially large larvae and adults, are high-value targets for insectivores. Therefore, luna moths have evolved remarkable adaptations to foil predators. The caterpillars are light green, matching the color of the leaves they feed on. But when they sense a predator about to strike, the caterpillars abandon attempts at concealment.
Instead, they rear up their heads, possibly to confuse the predator, sometimes making a clicking sound with their mandibles, followed by regurgitation of foul-tasting liquid.
Luna moths likewise rely on visual camouflage as adults. Their green wings blend right in among any cluster of broad leaves. Furthermore, the forewings have reddish-brown leading edges that branch to teardrop-shaped spots, looking just like twigs with little emergent buds. Jennifer came to Wisconsin later in life, but has fully embraced the great state of Wisconsin as home. Her first career was as a professional ballet dancer, but a lifelong passion for nature and animals led her to a second career in environmental biology.
She loves to learn new things and share her love of nature with others. In her free time she likes to travel and stay active with her awesome husband and sweet little dogs. Written by Jennifer Callaghan. Tuesday, 14 May Fun Facts: You can tell a male luna moth from the female by the bushiness of the antenna. The bushier antennae are found on the males, while the thinner antennae are found on females. Luna moths are also commonly referred to as "giant silkworm moths.
Its sole purpose is to mate, so it does not eat or have a digestive tract. The luna moth gets it name from the word luna which means "moon. Luna moths are common throughout the US, but endangered in some states where habitat loss is causing serious decline.
Native Animal of the Month.
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