Today’s Shot 200

Luna

Large Luna moth
Actias luna

Dear Friends,

I am counted along with the largest moth species in North America flying in with a wingspan of 3-4 inches. You might be surprised to know that as an adult, I don’t eat. I don’t have a digestive system and my mouth no longer has any useful function for eating. My only job by this age is to reproduce and I have a time limit of about a week – and then I die. I know that doesn’t sound very cheerful, but it’s just how I am, and I’m ok with that.

Camouflage is the name of my game and I have more than one trick fluttering in my wings. For one, I blend into the leaves in the daytime which can make me a rare find in my natural habitat. For two, the tops of my wings look like twigs and my teardrop shapes look like buds, so I blend in with the branches of plants. My teardrops also look like eyes which can scare away predators like birds during the day. The third trick I posses is my tail. I need most of my protection at night when preditors hunt by sound or sonar. My ruffled tail creates an echo from all directions which can confuse preditors’ sonar (like bats) so that I can escape being their dinner.

Thank you for reading a little about me.

Sincerely, Luna the Moth

Luna Moth

Luna’s Sources:

University of Washington

Smithsonian Magazine

Goddess of the Moon


© Pilgrimage Studio

Comments

28 responses to “Today’s Shot 200”

  1. John Avatar

    Luna is kinda sad, poor thing! 🤭

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pilgrimage Studio Avatar

      A beautiful moth with great tricks though!
      😃 🌟😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. John Avatar

        I’ve seen those before in Michigan but not down here.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Pilgrimage Studio Avatar

        Maybe it’s too dry and hot… not as many trees

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Msdedeng Avatar
    Msdedeng

    incredible! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  3. ghostmmnc Avatar

    Very pretty, and I like it’s name, but still I kind of feel sorry for it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pilgrimage Studio Avatar

      I know, so much beauty but a short life. 😳 🌟 🦋

      Liked by 1 person

  4. anne leueen Avatar

    Nice to meet you Luna!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pilgrimage Studio Avatar

      🦋And you as well! 😊😊🦋

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Mrs.Holliman Avatar

    I tagged you for the Whosoever Tag

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pilgrimage Studio Avatar

      🌟Thank you so much!! 😊🌟

      Like

      1. Mrs.Holliman Avatar

        Your welcome and God Bless

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Pilgrimage Studio Avatar

        Blessings to you and yours!! 🙏 🕊 🙏

        Like

  6. ramblingswithusha Avatar

    Never heard of Luna. Beautiful color. This is so informative, thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pilgrimage Studio Avatar

      🌟And, thank you for reading! 😊🌟

      Like

  7. Carol anne Avatar

    wow! I never knew all this about these moths! Great shot too beth! xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pilgrimage Studio Avatar

      🌟Thank you, I enjoyed learning about them too! 😊🌟

      Liked by 1 person

  8. long4h2o Avatar

    Amazing! The photo almost looks like a drawing or a watercolor.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pilgrimage Studio Avatar

      🌟Txx so much!🌟

      Like

  9. Pilgrimage Studio Avatar

    I’m glad you enjoyed it! It was the first one I’d ever seen. How cool you played with them! Luna was a surprise find for the day 🥰💫🥰

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Jim Borden Avatar

    giving up its life for others – a noble purpose…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pilgrimage Studio Avatar

      They sure do! A whole new generation becomes from the cycle 🦋🌟🦋

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Hammad Rais Avatar

    Nice to meet you, Luna 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pilgrimage Studio Avatar

      🌟Greetings from Luna! 🦋😊

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Dawn Renee Avatar

    An amazing creature … I didn’t know these things.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pilgrimage Studio Avatar

      I was so surprised to find her! 🌟😊🌟

      Liked by 1 person

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