"Parasitism of native Luna moths, Actias luna (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) by the introduced Compsilura concinnata (Meigen) (Diptera: Tachinidae) in central Virginia, and their …

Jul 8, 2025 · To answer the question: yes, luna moths do have natural predators at every stage of their life cycle. Birds, parasitic wasps and flies, predatory insects, small mammals, ants, bats, …

Nov 20, 2025 · Luna moth larvae feed on various broadleaf trees, including walnuts, hickories, and pecans. While adult luna moths lack appetite, they fall prey to bats, owls, and birds.

Luna moth caterpillars eat the foliage of walnuts, hickories, pecan, persimmon, sweet gum, and sumacs. Adults, like other members of the giant silkworm family, have reduced mouthparts, so …

May 27, 2024 · The luna moth is named for the false eyes on its hindwings which are thought to look like the Earth’s moon. These false eyes are called ocelli, (singularly, ocellus) and are …

The Luna Moth’s distinctive features, such as its long tails and pale green coloration, are likely the result of natural selection driven by predator avoidance and mate attraction.

To protect itself from predators, a Luna moth caterpillar can raise the front portion of its body and make a warning sound by clicking its mandibles. It can also regurgitate a distasteful fluid to …

Although luna moths don't have an appetite, they're a favorite snack for bats. To protect themselves from these predators, the moths spin the tails of their wingtips in circles.

The silkworm moth is in the family Bombycidae, and its closest relative is the wild silk moth (B. mandarina). Related moth families include Saturniidae, Apatelodidae, Oxytenidae, …

Biologists also believe that luna moths evolved their characteristic long frilly tails to serve as a false target to predators that rely on echolocation to find prey, such as bats.