The luna moth looks very delicate. It has pale green wings. Each wing has a transparent eyespot. The hind wings of the luna moth have long curving tails. The luna moth has an average wingspan of three to four inches. It is usually between five and six inches long. The luna moth is a type of wild silk moth. The luna moth is also known as the moon moth.
Luna moths live in North America in forests. Luna moths are nocturnal. This means they are active only at night. Luna moths don't have mouths. They don't eat. They live only one week. During that time they mate.
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The female luna moth lays eggs on both sides of a leaf. She might lay an egg by itself, or she might lay a group of eggs. A week later the eggs hatch into caterpillars. The caterpillars are light green. They have yellow lines along each of their sides. They also have little reddish-orange bumps on each body segment. The caterpillars grow to about three inches long. They are plump and don't move very fast.
The caterpillar spends its days eating leaves. It eats the leaves of many different kinds of trees, including white birch, sweet gum, hickories, walnuts, and sumacs. The caterpillar eats so much that its skin becomes tight and starts to split. The caterpillar wiggles out of its old skin into a new one.
Once the caterpillar is fully grown, it spins a cocoon. The cocoon is brown and thin like paper. The wings of the luna moth are damp and crumpled when it emerges from the cocoon. It takes about 20 minutes for the wings to dry. The moth then spreads its wings. When night comes, the luna moth will fly away to find a mate. Seeing the delicate luna moth is a rare treat!
1. What is another name for the luna moth?
A. the dragon moth
B. the moon moth****
C. the nighthawk moth
D. the lantern moth
2. Where do luna moths live?
A. in forests in Europe
B. in forests in Central America
C. in forests in North America****
D. in forests in South America
3. What does the cocoon of a luna caterpillar look like?
The cocoon is brown thin like paper. The wings of the luna moth are damp and crumpled when it emerges from the cocoon.
4. What is the average lifespan of a luna moth?
A. one week ****
B. one month
C. one year
D. one day
5. Which of the following statements about luna moths is NOT true?
A. Luna moths don't have mouths.****
B. Luna moths don't eat.
C. Luna moths have pale green wings.
D. Luna moths are diurnal.