Saturday, May 10, 2014

Luna Moth (Actias luna) At Station Cove


April 2nd, 2014. Sighting a Luna Moth (Actias luna) was a bonus while hiking the Cove Falls trail. 

The moth was clinging to a small stem.


It was a female. (Compare the antennae of the female with those of the male).

Judging by the size of the abdomen, this female emerged from the pupa not too long before I spotted it. She will excrete much of the fluid before she is ready to fly.

It’s unusual to find Luna moths in the Spring. They are much more common in the Fall so this was a lucky sighting
 
Related posts:
- Wildflowers at Oconee Station Historic Site and Station Cove Falls (Part 1)  
- Oconee Station Historic Site andStation Cove Falls 
- Another Luna Moth  
- Luna Moth (Actias luna)

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