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Luna Moth

Actias luna

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Actias luna by melody
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Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Saturniidae
Genus
Actias
Species
luna
Regional

This bug has been reportedly found in the following regions:

Lillian, Alabama

Vincent, Alabama

Wetumpka, Alabama

Deer, Arkansas

Hope, Arkansas

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Canterbury, Connecticut

Mansfield Center, Connecticut

Middletown, Connecticut

Apopka, Florida

Fernandina Beach, Florida

Gainesville, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida(2 reports)

Ocala, Florida

Palm Bay, Florida(2 reports)

Saint Augustine, Florida

Sorrento, Florida

Tampa, Florida

Atlanta, Georgia

Barnesville, Georgia

Cataula, Georgia

Cumming, Georgia

Dallas, Georgia(2 reports)

Dawsonville, Georgia

Hull, Georgia

La Fayette, Georgia

Ringgold, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia

Chicago, Illinois

East Moline, Illinois

Gurnee, Illinois

Le Roy, Illinois

Litchfield, Illinois

Madison, Illinois

Millington, Illinois

Naperville, Illinois

Oakland, Illinois

Plainfield, Illinois

Winfield, Illinois

Woodstock, Illinois

Freedom, Indiana

Muncie, Indiana

Patriot, Indiana

Valparaiso, Indiana(2 reports)

Warsaw, Indiana

Davenport, Iowa

Keosauqua, Iowa

Benton, Kentucky

Booneville, Kentucky

Hebron, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky

Salvisa, Kentucky

Denham Springs, Louisiana

Monroe, Louisiana

Sebago Lake, Maine

Bishopville, Maryland

Fallston, Maryland

Oakland, Maryland

Windsor Mill, Maryland

Cummington, Massachusetts

Middleboro, Massachusetts

Millbury, Massachusetts

Needham, Massachusetts

Upton, Massachusetts

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Blanchard, Michigan

Brighton, Michigan

Milan, Michigan

Milford, Michigan

Florence, Mississippi

Picayune, Mississippi

Ripley, Mississippi

Fulton, Missouri

Golden City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri(2 reports)

Lowry City, Missouri

Barrington, New Hampshire

Greenville, New Hampshire

North Haverhill, New Hampshire

Northwood, New Hampshire

Marlton, New Jersey

Ballston Lake, New York

Delevan, New York

Himrod, New York

Orchard Park, New York

Southold, New York

Andrews, North Carolina

Cary, North Carolina

Concord, North Carolina

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Kure Beach, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Bucyrus, Ohio

Glouster, Ohio

Guysville, Ohio

Monroe, Ohio

North Ridgeville, Ohio

Westlake, Ohio

Hulbert, Oklahoma

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Alexandria, Pennsylvania

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Milton, Pennsylvania

Montoursville, Pennsylvania

New Florence, Pennsylvania

New Hope, Pennsylvania

Port Royal, Pennsylvania

Prospect, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania

Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Florence, South Carolina

Lexington, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Butler, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee(2 reports)

Pocahontas, Tennessee

Wartburg, Tennessee

Baytown, Texas

Cameron, Texas

Desoto, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Geronimo, Texas

Lufkin, Texas

Magnolia, Texas

Mcallen, Texas

Mont Belvieu, Texas

Spring, Texas

Trenton, Texas

East Dorset, Vermont

Blacksburg, Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia

Fort Valley, Virginia

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Hampton, Virginia

Ellsworth, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:
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41 positive 2 neutral 0 negative
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H

Howarth

Plainfield, IL | August 2017 | Positive
Found this guy on our front pourch just hanging out about 7ft up a column 9pm after a heavy rainstorm.
L

LarryScot

Needham, MA (Zone 7a) | November 2016 | Positive
I have raised them before by cocoon and they are probably more pretty than most of the butterflies and moths in Massachusetts. Their wings are a brilliant tropical green with cute little eye spots. They are not common to find and you usually have to find them during the night.
G

GrammieNannie

Middleboro, MA | July 2016 | Positive
Would like to report the lunar moth was seen in South Middleboro, MA
on Cowan Dr property a short while ago.
c

coriaceous

ROSLINDALE, MA | March 2016 | Positive
A magnificently beautiful giant silkmoth that I've seen only twice.

The giant silkmoths are in decline, as is the biomass of moths collected in New England. Of the fifteen giant silkmoth species native to Connecticut, 4 are extirpated and 4 are in severe decline.

This is thought to be due to an introduced exotic predator, perhaps the predatory tachnid fly that was introduced for gypsy moth control, or perhaps one of the introduced ladybird beetles.

However, Luna moth populations seem to be bouncing back. Due to our longer summers, for the first time there are now two generations per season here.

http://nationalmothweek.o... read more
M

MRJVI

Argyle, NY (Zone 5a) | July 2015 | Positive
I am lucky, I guess. I usually have 3-10 lunas at my garage light each non rainy morning during most of June. I live in upstate NY Definitely not rare here. I also raise many each season along wit other sats.
s

sandy0225

Muncie, IN (Zone 5b) | July 2014 | Positive
It's so beautiful, it's only the second one I've ever seen here in living here 25 years. It hasn't moved since I saw it, I hope it has been able to reproduce, we do have a couple of their host trees, persimmon and walnut in our yard.
k

katsdancin

Raleigh, NC | August 2013 | Positive
August 12, 2013 - Found one waiting for me on my screened porch this morning! First sighting in my 58 years on Earth. The actual body and antennae are just as beautiful as the wings. Amazingly beautiful creature!
J

JohnyB

East Ridge, TN | August 2013 | Positive
Sighted one while Fishing at Harrison Bay and was surprised to see a nother on the Window at a Fast Food Joint in East Ridge TN. I hope this means they are regaining numbers !
r

redstag

Valparaiso, IN | June 2012 | Positive
I was sitting in my barn late last night with the lights on n the doors open when in flys "tinkerbell" I swear this thing looked like a lil fairy. It landed by the lights n a ran n got the camera. Never seen one in my life of34 yrs.awesome looking specimen!
D

Dosetaker

Mason, NH (Zone 5b) | June 2012 | Positive
Did not realize how rare these are till reading these comments. I see these wonderful moths every year here in Southern New Hampshire.
T

Tinytot

NORTH HAVERHILL, NH | June 2012 | Positive
I first saw a male luna moth last week and did not know what it was, so I called my mother to find out! She was correct it was a luna moth. At about 3 am est this morning i saw a female luna moth. They are quite the sight to see! This is the first time that I have seen them. We have a lot of regular oak trees and a few white oak trees surrounding our property.
J

John_Kotulski

LaFayette, GA | March 2012 | Positive
On 20March2012 at around 9:00 P.M. I opened my back door to let my dog in and this moth flew into my house. It flew around quickly and came to a stop on the wall. After taking a few pictures I used a large jar to catch the moth. I then released it outside. I had never seen one before and from what I've read I may not see one again.
j

jnadaly

Millington, IL | August 2011 | Positive
Like several others have posted, we thought this gorgeous visitor was a small bird batting against our basement window! I have never seen a giant moth of any kind and was fascinated and curious about it! My son snapped some gorgeous pictures of it. After reading the posts, we also feel really honored that we got to see this beautiful species up so close!
m

mmackrell

Prospect, PA | July 2011 | Positive
I saw this moth for the first time yesterday, July 4, around 7:30 pm. We got home and it was hanging on the chimes near the kitchen door. It went down on the deck and acted like it was hurt. Got some good pics, will upload them.
N

Nonni_A

Port Royal, PA | July 2011 | Positive
June 22, 2011 I discovered a Luna Moth clinging to our garage door. I was in a bit of a hurry to leave so I took a few pictures with my cell phone. I wish his coloring would have turned out nicer in the picture though. I didn't know what it was at the time until I found this page! I had never seen anything like it before! We live on the side of a mountain in the forest in PA. I'm always excited when I find new creatures! Thanks for have your site!
w

winfield33

Winfield, IL | June 2011 | Positive
I pulled into our driveway today in Winfield, Ill., and saw what I thought was a leaf on the garage door. As I got closer I was amazed by this creature, later to find out it was a luna moth. It's a beautiful creature and it has been fun to read more about the species.
j

jjztmg

Cicero, NY | May 2011 | Positive
I saw a Luna Moth in Emerald Lake State Park while camping this past weekend. I saw the list of places they are found and did not see VT, I wanted to let everyone know that its there as well. I have never seen anything like it! Absolutely beautiful! I hope I have the opportunity to see them again...I had no idea they are so rare and cherish the the fact that I got to see one. I did take a couple of pictures but, unfortunately, the camera on my phone is not the best, so they don't show up very well.
s

sandkisses

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL | October 2010 | Positive
I was thrilled to find information at Dave's Garden on what was first thought to be just another pesky plant eater. This morning I was examining my ailing bougainvillea, when I suddenly felt something crawling up my arm. I looked down to find a bright green caterpillar and knew this had to be what was munching on my plant. After placing him on a leaf, I headed to my computer for further research and was pleasantly surprised to find out he would become a Luna moth. After closer inspection of my bougainvilleas, I found numerous luna caterpillars in various stages of development. I have no intention of spraying and am looking forward to watching them grow. If I am lucky, I might even get a few good photos.
t

themikeman

Concord, NC (Zone 7a) | July 2010 | Positive
I have always loved these moths since i was a kid and always wished i could find one. a friend of mine when i was a teenager found one with me in upstate ny and kept it. now that im an adult and i live in north carolina this year was lucky for me and i must have done something good for someone cause ive found two!!!. one in kmarts parking lot after a storm that is a large male in great condition, and one last spring in my backyard near my mulch pile thats in poor condition and is alot smaller, i think its a female..peace. mike
s

sumhott21

Delevan, NY | June 2010 | Positive
I woke up this morning finding a Luna moth on my porch.They are beautiful and its the first time i have ever seen one.Im taking it into my kids school to show them and we are goin to release him there.
t

triccer

Allentown, PA | May 2010 | Positive
I'm live Allentown, Pa and came home from from vacation this past week to find one of these luna moths on the brick veneer above my front door. I have never seen a moth of this size, and the color is extrodinary. Found it to be interesting in searching about the moth on the web. I'm trying to figure out how I can post a couple pictures I took of the moth.
d

didato

| May 2010 | Positive
I found a dead luna moth on my deck in Middletown,CT. I think it's the largest moth i've ever seen....i had to take pictures it is so beautiful.
J

Jersey_Girl

Atlanta, GA | May 2010 | Positive
Could not believe my eyes. Saw one of these beautiful creatures clinging to a pole in our office parking garage in the middle of Buckhead (Atlanta, GA). He/she has been there 5 days.
W

WUVIE

Hulbert, OK (Zone 7a) | April 2010 | Positive
A beautiful moth we enjoy on occasion. These beautiful moths are so intriguing, seemingly mystical. It is no wonder they are chosen for sleep aid commercials, as they even seem to be part of a dream.

Gorgeous!
L

Lunamoth12

Tulsa, OK | October 2009 | Neutral
I found one of those at work (Tulsa, Oklahoma) didnt know what it was, so i researched it, found out it would turn into a Luna moth, also found out its endangered.

The lil guy is at my house now wrapping himself in silk inside a paper towel. Am i suppose to give it to some local association that deals with endangered species or what?
L

LadyAshleyR

Oakland, MD | June 2009 | Positive
The luna moth is not considered an endangered species.
Apparently there have been some mistakes in guides and such.

http://butterflywebsite.com/articles/bgq/LunaMoth.htm

Quote:
"I asked Dave Winter, co-author with his wife, Jo Brewer, of Butterflies and Moths: A Companion to Your Field Guide, about a 1980 field-guide reference to the Luna as an endangered species. He replied, "In the Northeast at that time, there was an impression that Lunas and other giant silk moths had declined significantly--perhaps due to pesticides or to distraction of male moths to mercury-vapor lights along highways and in parking lots. This was never quantified, and at the ... read more
V

VA_Wild_Rose

Fredericksburg, VA (Zone 7a) | June 2009 | Positive
The "Queen of the Night" of the moth world... always a spectacular sight to see in person, no matter how young or old you are! Caterpillars feed on a variety of hardwood trees, but most prevalently on Sweet Gum in the Mid-Atlantic region.
M

Mae23

Cameron, TX | March 2009 | Neutral
I live in Cameron Texas. Yesterday I found a spectacular Luna Moth sitting on a brick wall by my friends house. He stated that it had been sitting there for hours. On the verge of death, I collected this gorgeous specimen and plan on pining and framing him/her. Not positive on the sex; perhaps someone can help! It's body is pure white with large, fuzzy white antennae. I never, ever thought I'd see the fantastic creature in my lifetime!!!
M

McCool

Millbury, MA (Zone 5a) | December 2008 | Positive
I first saw one of these moths at our window when I was in my teens (a very long time ago) and found a dead one on our back steps. This was back in the fifties and I hadn't seen one since until this past Summer. I was walking along an interstate route in the morning and glimpsed what I first thought was a bird fluttering up in the trees, then got a better look and realized that it was a Luna moth. That really made my day --- I thought they were gone from this area for good.
S

STARCROC2000

Saint Augustine, FL | September 2008 | Positive
AN AMAZING MOTH TO SEE. I FIRST SPOTTED ONE ON A BARN DOOR UNDER A SECURITY LIGHT IN 1986. I HADN'T SEEN ONE UNTIL RECENTLY. I WORK AT A PLANT NURSERY AND HAD A LIVE ONE TRAPPED IN THE SHADE HOUSE. OF COURSE I SENT IT ON IT'S WAY. VERY RARE SIGHTING IN ST AUGUSTINE.
7

76kendra

Le Roy, IL | July 2008 | Positive
Our family was on a camping trip at Morine View State Park near our home in Leroy,IL July 15,2008 and found a luna moth caterpillar on the ground near out site. Our daughter almost stepped on it! We then put it in our bug house and he quickly cocooned. We plan to release him back to the park when he emerges. What a site!
G

Glazier6

| July 2008 | Positive
We found a Actias Luna Moth in our yard in
Pabineau First Nation, New Brunswick, Canada.
She's beautiful but is ingured and cant fly (got attacked by a dog).
She has also layed plenty of eggs and has more to come.
Any advice for us?
N

Norma41

Parrott, GA | June 2008 | Positive
I saw this moth on my backporch on June 5. I've never seen one like it and it's absolutely beautiful. Now that I've done some research on the moth, I feel quite honored to have seen it!
v

violabird

Barnesville, GA (Zone 8a) | April 2008 | Positive
I adore the Luna Moth and am quite excited to be seeing one right now as I type! Surely this is my earliest sighting in all my years at my home--I have a 2 story house and they apparently love the light at my window screen.

I guess there is one good thing about having a lot of sweetgum trees.
j

joan30157

Dallas, GA (Zone 7b) | September 2007 | Positive
We have alot of Luna Moths this year the neighborhood kids love them I didn't realize the caterpillars ate sweet gum leaves We have alot of sweet gumsTHEY SPROUT EVERYWHERE I guess they will be easier to tolerate now.
S

Sheila_FW

Fort Worth, TX (Zone 8a) | August 2007 | Positive
I would never have thought I would be posting a picture of a Luna moth! Living in North Central Texas it is a really rare sighting my husband had today 8-14-07 in NW Fort Worth, Tarrant County, TX. I only wish I had seen it in person. But I do have the pictures he took!!
h

headoctor

Kansas City, MO | August 2007 | Positive
a few nights ago (around 11pm) my husband and I discovered one of these beautiful creatures banging into our window (our house backs to woods). We first thought it was a bat! The next morning, about 10 miles from our home, we found one struggling on a sidewalk, appearing as though it had broken a wing. Almost felt like an omen....
j

joegee

Bucyrus, OH (Zone 6a) | June 2007 | Positive
These are stunningly beautiful and gentle creatures. I have seen two living luna moths, and one dead one in my 41 years. It's always quite special to see one.
m

mimi4neeyah

Canterbury, CT (Zone 6a) | June 2007 | Positive
I just saw my first one yesterday. They really are beautiful. Now I am full of questions on how to protect them if they are around here.
:-)
l

lastfireflylite

Palm Bay, FL | April 2007 | Positive
I have lived in palm bay, fl all my 28 years as a deep woods tom boy and lover of environment, snakes plants, bugs, you name it. I had heard a few "native floridian old timers" (meant in an endearing way) say they had seen them in the woods as a child, or found thier remians while help'n Pa in the yard. they then said they hadnt seen one since. I worked with Jim Angy a Professional wildlife photographer, and he said he found a set of wings a long time ago. Never had I seen or even believed I would get my hands on one muchless around 100 caterpillars! I found them on sweet gum growing in the orlando area. So my kids, the kids in my non profit group & I decided to breed the adults, and are currently organizing a web based tag and release behvioral flight tracking system with in the state of ... read more
M

Maria2354

Fernandina Beach, FL (Zone 8b) | April 2007 | Positive
I saw the Luna Moth in March 2007 in my backyard (see pics) and reported the sighting to the Butterflies and Moths of North America web site. The regional coordinator asked if I was interested in raising caterpillars of the moth since I happen to have a gum tree in my backyard. Of course I accepted. They are also setting up a tag & release program in which I would participate. It is very exiting to become an active part of a program to help endangered species.
M

Marilynbeth

Hebron, KY | November 2006 | Positive
This Summer was the first time I saw one. DH and I were thrilled! It was on our porch light in the early morning in July and only stayed a day or two and we never saw it after that. We always leave the light on during the overnight hours and it must have been drawn to it. We hope we get to see it again next year.
m

melody

Benton, KY (Zone 7a) | July 2006 | Positive
Due to the increased use of pesticides to kill the caterpillar, this lovely moth is becoming quite rare. It is now considered an Endangered Species in North America. It has a wingspan reaching up to 4 1/2".

The adult moths have no functioning mouth parts and are not capable of eating, their sole purpose is to mate and die. It's range is the eastern half of the US and southern Canada.

The carerpillar eats the foliage of hickory, walnut, pecan, sweet gum, persimmon, birch and somethimes others.
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