Luna Moth
Scientific Name: Actias luna
Order & Family: Lepidoptera: Saturniidae
Size: Wingspan of 3 to 4.5 inches (7.5 to 11.4 cm).
Natural Habitat
Deciduous woodlands and forests throughout North America.
Diet & Feeding
Caterpillars feed on leaves of walnut, hickory, birch, persimmon, and sweetgum; adults do not have mouthparts and do not eat.
Behavior Patterns
Active primarily at night (nocturnal); the adult stage is very brief, lasting only about 7 to 10 days for the purpose of mating and egg-laying.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans; they benefit the ecosystem by serving as a food source for bats and owls and are indicators of a healthy environment.
Identified on: 4/18/2026