What are luna moths?
The luna moths (Actias luna) are one of the largest and most beautiful moths in North America, strong fliers, active during nights, attracted to lights and belong to an insect order Lepidoptera. These moths have light green colored wings with yellow stripes, a false eyespot on each forewing and hindwing with long curving tails (Photo 1). The life cycle of luna moths contain four developing stages including eggs, caterpillars, pupae and adults.
Female moths generally lay whitish- brown colored eggs on both sides of the leaves. These eggs hatch in a week into small green colored caterpillars that develop through five stages. Mature larvae pupate in the silken cocoons, which are wrapped in the leaves. Under favourable conditions, luna moths can complete their life cycle within a month.
Damage caused by luna moths
Only the caterpillars of the luna moth (Actias luna) cause feeding damage to the leaves of various trees, including white birch (Betula papyrifera), persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), hickory (Carya spp.), and walnut (Juglans spp.). However, the defoliation they cause is generally minor and not considered economically significant; therefore, control measures are unnecessary.
Natural enemies
Although there is no need to control luna moths, several natural enemies like predators and parasitoids may be helping to keep their populations in check.