A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall Gardener's Chat Luna moth

Every year the luna moths come to my yard.



Four in this one:



They live for about 10 days and they never eat as adults. There only job is to lay eggs on the deciduous trees in the yard. Then they become food for the phoebes.

gosh how pretty. It looks like someone put binding of some type around his wings. And I guess it's the antenas look like little leaves.

Yes, I think they look like feathery leaves too, Sheri! And binding, I like that.

They sure are pretty, are you saying they don't do any damage to plants at all?

That is a very pretty moth, Mel - never saw any like that around here. Are they out during the day instead of at night like most of our moths are here?

Thanks for showing us a pretty moth......

Nice colors for a dress too.....
I love the trim color.

b

Thanks for showing us--I had not ever seen one before----they are so pretty aren't they??

I have those beautiful moths here, the first ones came out last night. Visitors that come in this season usually want to take one, as they are clinging helplessly to the house in the daytime. I don't allow them to, cuz I'm
trying to protect them. But the ones I find stuck to the house seem ready to die. I try and put them back in the trees, but they just fall down if I touch them. Now that I have an active kitten, 2 of the 3 I found on the porch had their wings torn to shreds. Poor things. Are they dying at this stage? Have they
finished their life cycle or should I continue trying to rescue them? Anyone know? They are so beautiful, almost dignified if a bug can be described that way. Sheesh, I feel so shallow, cuz in comparison the ugly June bugs just get flicked off to land to what-ever fate meets them.
Sharon

Good for you, forest lady! I always try to preserve the cool things too.


I doubt it's your kitten doing the damage, it's probably birds. They come out at night, Lynne, but cling sometimes all day to the side of the garage. Often as soon as they go to fly , the birds get them.

The adult moth only lives about 10 days anyway, and doesn't eat. But in that time it will lay eggs for the next generation. That's weird that your houseguests want to take them, my sister wants one too. I told her to take a picture, it'll last longer.

They, the moths , do not damage any plants at all. However, at the caterpillar stage they will eat the leaves of the host plant. Usually birch trees, or sweet gum , hickories , walnuts , and sumacs . But not enough to damage the tree.

Wings fully extended.