![]() ![]() The eggs hatch, and the primary purpose of the larvae is to eat, and eat… and eat… and eat! Once they go through their pupae stage and emerge as an adult, the primary purpose of this insect is to reproduce. The behavior of this species is relatively simple. You can sometimes see them in butterfly habitats, but they do not feed on flowers. Because different regions have different host plants, it is important to do your research before attempting to keep Luna moth larvae. The larvae require the right species of plant for feeding, and the adults do not feed at all. In a zoological or household setting, these moths are simple to care for. You can raise the larvae if you know what type of host plant they require, but you should release the adult moth so it can reproduce with its own kind. Handling them can damage their wings, so they are a hands-off pet. Luna moths do not generally make good pets. Humans have not domesticated Luna moths in any way. This species is the only moth to appear on a United States postage stamp, and is generally regarded as a beautiful creature and not disliked by anyone. There are few negative interactions, as Luna moths do not conflict with humans in any way. Most human interactions occur when human-produced light sources attract moths. Luna moths and humans do not directly interact very frequently. Different host plants include persimmon, white birch, hickory, sumac, walnut, sweet gum, and more. ![]() The plants regional larvae can eat are called host plants. Some regions can feed on certain plants that larvae in other regions cannot, and vice versa. As discussed above, larvae from different regions will feed on different plants. The only time these insects eat is during their larval stage. Diet of the Luna MothĪdult Luna moths do not eat at all, as their mouthparts are non-functional. These moths live nowhere else in the world. In Canada, they live from Nova Scotia to Quebec and Saskatchewan. In the United States one might find them from Maine, all the way down to Florida. ![]() They live as far west as the Great Plains, and as far east as the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. This moth species dwells only in North America. Not all larvae can feed on all of those plants, and some regions can only survive on a single species of plant. The larvae will feed on white birch, hickory, sweet gum, persimmon, walnut, and sumac leaves. In different regions Luna moths will prefer different plant species to lay their eggs on. These moths do not require a specific feeding area as an adult, because they do not eat! However, they will seek certain areas that house preferred species of plants when they lay their eggs. Finally, after they transform in the pupae stage, the moth emerges as an imago, or its final adult form. After their final molt, the larvae spins a cocoon out of silk and enters the pupae stage. These larvae will feed on leaves, and undergo five different molts as they grow larger. The female lays eggs, which hatch into larvae.
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