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Starting Out
Luna moths begin their lives in tiny eggs. They will be in one of 200 eggs laid on the underside of leaves. The eggs will hatch within 10 days of being deposited. If the eggs are not well-hidden, they can be at risk due to predators such as snakes and other insects. Once hatched, the emerging caterpillars begin eating right away.
Caterpillar Living
Once the caterpillars begin eating, the insects are voracious and do little else. Luna moths are particularly fond of persimmon leaves, but they will also eat walnut, sycamore and walnut leaves. Luna moths are visually stunning as caterpillars. They have bright green bodies with orange spots down their sides. When fully formed, luna moths are about 2 1/2 inches in length. The caterpillars will also molt their skin about five times over four weeks.
Into the Cocoon
The caterpillars will then spin cocoons and enter the pupa stage. The caterpillars do this by releasing silk from around their mouths and wrapping themselves in leaves individually. They will hang there dormant for up to three weeks, unless winter is nearing. If it is almost winter, then the cocoons will not hatch until the following spring.
Emerging as a Moth
Luna moths are unable to fly as they leave their cocoons. They will climb up into trees and allow blood to circulate to their wings before attempting to fly away that first night of their lives. At this point, their biological clocks are ticking quickly and the luna moths are instantly looking for mates. Luna moths die after about a week and do not even have mouths to feed with. Their only purposes at this stage is to find mates and reproduce before they die.
Reproduction
As soon as luna moths are able to fly, these insects are seeking a mate. Like all other saturniids, the females release a chemical into the air to attract the males. The males will come running, and the females will accept the first males to reach them. The males will pursue these scents anywhere to mate. Once the two have separated after mating, the female then begins the process of depositing the eggs, and the cycle begins all over again.
Luna Moth Identification
As adults, luna moths are up to 4 inches wide and 5 inches tall. They also have brilliant coloration that varies from yellow to green to blue depending upon location. They have long, sweeping wings that have eye markings on the back to prevent predators from targeting them. Luna moths are also masters of camouflage along the forest floor. When not seeking mates, they sit perfectly still and blend right in with the leaves and debris around them.