Photos by Donna

I am more keen on sighting birds than other smaller wildlife, like insects.  But on occasion, an insect presents itself.

I came across this beautiful, bright neon green caterpillar last fall; I couldn’t believe it’s size, almost three inches long.  I later learned it was a Luna Moth caterpillar.

Luna Moth Caterpillar

Luna Moth Caterpillar

As a caterpillar, it eats constantly for about a month and then builds a cocoon, where it lives inside for about three weeks.  It then emerges as a huge, beautiful Luna Moth.

The Luna Moth is one of the largest moths in North America, with an average wingspan 3 to 4 1/2 inches.  Below is the caterpillar’s transformation into a moth.

Luna Moth (male)
Courtesy of Wikipedia

Interesting fact:  As a moth, the Luna Moth does not have a mouth or digestive system, therefore, it doesn’t ever eat.  That’s because a Luna Moth only lives for about a week after leaving the cocoon.