Luna Moth (Actias luna)
Size
Caterpillars up to 90mm (3.5in)Moth wingspan up to 114mm (4.5in)
Moisture
50% humidityNo spraying needed, all moisture needed is provided through fresh leaves.
Temperature
65-77°F (18-25°C)
Sexing
You cannot sex a caterpillar, but can sex a pupae with effort and a trained eye. Males will have bigger antennae and females will have a notch on the abdomen.Sexual dimorphism in adults is present as males will have fuzzier antenna and a thinner frame while females will appear very rotund.
Lifespan
The life cycle of a Luna moth can be between 6 months to 1 year, depending on if diapaused. Luna moth adults only live for about one week and do not eat.
Instars
Slow growing, molting 5 times as a caterpillar throughout the year until fall. Prepupal caterpillars will show a proment line down the center and may often pick up a reddish tone. Fully grown caterpillars will spin a silk cocoon between leaves, go dormant for winter, and eclose the following spring.
Feeding
From hatch they will devour host species such as Sweet Gum, Hickory, Black Walnut , Sumac, and Persimmon. Clean any buildup of waste when you add new feed. Replace feed every 1-2 days. Try to stick to one host species as they can be finniky about transitioning.
Enclosure
Eggs can be hatched in a sealed container. Browse should be introduced once caterpillars hatch. Young caterpillars can be housed in a 32oz deli container, but once they start to rapidly gain mass, it's time to move them into a mesh pop up. Avoid overcrowding in later instars. Ends of branches can be snipped and placed in water to remain fresh.
Breeding
Males will fly to find females sniffing with their antennae as the females remain seditary and call for a mate. He will connect to her, abdomen to abdomen and remain often for several hours. Then the female will lay several hundred blood-cell like eggs.
Other Information
Pupae can be overwintered to hatch the following season by exposing the pupae to temperatures under 40°F.