Page 78 - A Field Guide to Fairfax County's Plants and Wildlife
P. 78
a Moth
(Actias luna)
Description
Larvae (caterpillars) are
bright green with long
soft bodies that are
sometimes protected
by spikes or hairs. They
have six jointed legs
and five pairs of soft
unjointed legs called
prolegs. The adults
have very large scaled
wings with a wingspan
of 11 centimeters. Their
bodies are white with
pinkish legs and pale
green wings. The
hindwings have eyespots and long tails. Each scale has a color, and together
they give these insects their amazing wing patterns. Moths usually hold their
wings folded down flat.
Luna Moths only fly on spring and Distribution and Habitat
early summer nights. They produce
silk to make their cocoon which is Luna Moths prefer deciduous
formed in a leaf on the ground. hardwood forests. The females lay
eggs on the bottoms of Black Walnut
leaves. They are found in all five
physiographic provinces.
Role in Food Web
Larvae eat leaves from many different species of trees and shrubs including
Sweetgum and hickories. Adults do not have a mouth and do not eat. They
live only about a week in order to mate. Larvae are preyed on by birds,
spiders, stink bugs and paper wasps. Adults are consumed by bats, shrews,
birds and large insects such as praying mantises.
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(Actias luna)
Description
Larvae (caterpillars) are
bright green with long
soft bodies that are
sometimes protected
by spikes or hairs. They
have six jointed legs
and five pairs of soft
unjointed legs called
prolegs. The adults
have very large scaled
wings with a wingspan
of 11 centimeters. Their
bodies are white with
pinkish legs and pale
green wings. The
hindwings have eyespots and long tails. Each scale has a color, and together
they give these insects their amazing wing patterns. Moths usually hold their
wings folded down flat.
Luna Moths only fly on spring and Distribution and Habitat
early summer nights. They produce
silk to make their cocoon which is Luna Moths prefer deciduous
formed in a leaf on the ground. hardwood forests. The females lay
eggs on the bottoms of Black Walnut
leaves. They are found in all five
physiographic provinces.
Role in Food Web
Larvae eat leaves from many different species of trees and shrubs including
Sweetgum and hickories. Adults do not have a mouth and do not eat. They
live only about a week in order to mate. Larvae are preyed on by birds,
spiders, stink bugs and paper wasps. Adults are consumed by bats, shrews,
birds and large insects such as praying mantises.
r 74 r
