Over the past couple of weeks we have had a number of lovely Luna moths (Actias luna) appearing around Jamestown in search of a partner to reproduce with before their short lives are over. Adult Luna moths, appropriately named after the moon-like eyespots appearing on their wings, only live for about a week or so. These beautiful moths can reach wingspans of four inches and glide delicately as they move from place to place. For such a gorgeous insect, why is it they only live for such a short time? Well, these moths actually lack any functional mouth parts, hence why they are so short-lived. Of course, if we didn’t eat for a whole week, we wouldn’t do too well either!
Elyse Henshaw
Conservation Technician
