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luna moth
luna moth (Actias luna)
Photo © Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Photo © Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Features and Behaviors
FEATURES
The luna moth has large, light-green wings with brown and white markings. One long tail is present on each hind wing. The wingspan is four to five inches. Each wing also shows one eyespot. The body is white, and the antennae are feathery. The larva is a spiny caterpillar that pupates in a silk cocoon.
BEHAVIORS
The luna moth may be found throughout Illinois. The adult does not feed. The larva eats the leaves of trees and shrubs. The cocoon is spun on the ground in leaf litter.
Illinois Range
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Saturniidae
Illinois Status
common, native
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