Luna Moth

Luna in the dia...

I have been working in the yard around the house this morning before it got too hot and happened to have a rare experience!

I saw a beautiful Luna moth out of the corner of my eye across the yard. I grabbed my camera because I knew this is a rare moment. This is not the first time I have had the chance to experience this but it has been a few years since I have seen one. They are starting to become endangered in areas.

I feel very fortunate to have seen her today!

I think this one is a female. Her antennae are small. The males have larger ones. Her wings seem to be damaged but she is trying to dry off and fly. We have had lots of rain in the last few days and everything is very wet this morning. She has been moving a little up the bushes and is shaking her wings. I am not sure if she just hatched from her chrysalis and is pumping blood into her wings or if she is just trying to shake off the heavy morning dew.

Sadly she is just going to live about a week. She will not eat, in fact, most moths do not even have a mouth. She will just mate and lay lots of eggs. I hope she has a beautiful short life.

I checked again later and she had flown away. Hopefully she stays safe until tonight when she will meet her mate and dance :)

Here are 2 short descriptions in a little more detail about these beautiful rare creatures...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actias_luna

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/luna_moth.htm

Have an awesome day!

April

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