Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
 

Register · Log In
HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
Upcoming Events

Registration is open for the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2023

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29


Previous events
TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Silkworm, Sphinx, and Royal Moths (Bombycoidea) » Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths (Saturniidae) » Silkmoths (Saturniinae) » Saturniini » Actias » Luna Moth - Hodges#7758 (Actias luna)
Photo#208603
Luna Moth - Actias luna
Copyright © 2008 Stacy Bosarge

Luna Moth - Actias luna
Fayette, Fayette County, Alabama, USA
July 30, 2008
Size: 4"
Already have a Luna Moth on here but this one has fake eyes on its lower wings as my other 2 months photographed didnt. Is this a difference in sex or age??? Just wanted to Share and maybe learn something
Another thing that i forgot to mention is, whenever I see a Luna Moth and it lands, it seems to shake as if it is scared? It that unique in any way??

Images of this individual: tag all
Luna Moth - Actias luna Luna Moth - Actias luna
tag · login or register to post comments
Contributed by Stacy Bosarge on 31 July, 2008 - 8:53pm
Last updated 24 September, 2008 - 7:53pm

Moved
Moved from Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths.
… Nina, 24 September, 2008 - 7:53pm login or register to post comments

Shaking
The shaking behavior is a method of regulating body temperature, similar to shivering in humans. Though these are "cold-blooded" animals, their nocturnal nature forces them to be active in lower temperatures, so the shivering heats up the flight muscles enough to expend the massive amounts of energy required to take off. They do seem terrified, though, especially with those innocent little faces :)
… Craig Biegler, 1 August, 2008 - 9:23am login or register to post comments

Luna
If you look closely, you may be able to see that the eye-spots are there on the hind-wings but are hidden by the fore-wings. A previous image of yours shows the faint impression of these hidden eye-spots on the hind-wing.
… David E. Reed, 31 July, 2008 - 9:36pm login or register to post comments

 
Cool
Wow, You can, I never noticed that before. Thank you so much. That is pretty cool.
… Stacy Bosarge, 31 July, 2008 - 9:52pm login or register to post comments

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo

Printer Friendly Version 		Terms of Use
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Contact