Sent when ready in May or June. A beautiful, large green moth, with long tails, that is native to North America. Larvae are fairly polyphagous in the wild but in captivity they do well on living birch and cut or living walnut and sweetgum (liquidamber). Luna is double brooded in the southern states of the USA with the first adults emerging as early as April. The moths tend to emerge in the UK after midday and throughout the afternoon and early evening. An easy species to rear that will pair readily in coolish, humid conditions. Sure to captivate youngsters, this species is highly recommended for schools and novices alike.
Foodplants: larvae do well on birch (betula), walnut (juglans), sweet gum (liquidamber) and we have reared them very succesfully on english elm (ulmus).
Rearing: larvae do well in plastic boxes, sleeves and cages.
Photographs: ova trio x 20 magnification; resting 1st instar larvae x 20 magnification; 2nd instar larvae on elm; 5th instar larvae on elm (ulmus); male adult moth at rest.
