Jean found this Luna Moth caterpillar mid-August on our cottage deck here in Ontario, Canada. From what we can see, this caterpillar is in its 5th instar, the 5th molt, which is the last instar for this type of moth.
A female Luna Moth would have laid its eggs earlier this spring giving rise to numerous tiny larvae that grew into this and other lime-green caterpillars. We have never seen an adult Luna Moth despite searching every spring.
Luna Moths are only found in North America because Luna Moth larvae require certain species of deciduous trees in order to survive. In Eastern Canada, it is primarily the leaves of White Birch Trees that the larvae will eat. Areas of the United States and Northern Mexico also support Luna Moths where a variety of trees support their needs.
This Luna Moth caterpillar was found near one of our White Birch Trees. Further south, it might be the leaves from Walnut, Pecan or Sweetgum Trees that would support the presence of Luna Moths.
In this photo, the head of the caterpillar is visible. The caterpillar was moving slowly with its small, fibery legs, called crochets. It is these little Velcro-like feet and legs that allow the Luna Moth caterpillar to grasp the sides of trees, plants and other objects. They prevent it from slipping and falling to the ground.
Earlier in the summer, in July, another Luna Moth caterpillar was spotted climbing up the side of our cottage. Also in its 5th instar, this one had more of an orange tinge to it with green on the sides.
Luna Moth larvae appear more orange a few days before they spin their cocoons at the end of their larval stage.
The Luna Moth caterpillar we found in August also was on the move, looking for a place to cocoon. Jean gently removed it from the deck and placed it in the leaf debris under one of our trees. It immediately started burrowing into the leaf cover where it would prepare for winter by spinning its cocoon. It is the spinning of a cocoon out of silk that has Luna Moths referred to as giant silkworm moths. Now, Bob and I hope to see one of them in the spring!
Checkout Out Our Other Moth Sightings
Frame To Frame – Bob and Jean