How long does the luna moth live after hatching from its cocoon?

The beautiful green luna moth lives for only 7 days after hatching from its cocoon. This gorgeous moth is particularly attracted to lights which can be a problem for them with an increase in light pollution and they are also very susceptible to the effects of pesticides in the environment.

The luna moth as an adult has no mouth so they do not feed during their short lives. They have a very short time to mate and lay eggs before dying. The caterpillars feed primarily on deciduous trees and overwinter in cocoons before the moths emerge in the spring. These moths only fly at night and females emit powerful pheromones which attract the males.

The luna moth is also known as the American moon moth and they can be found in northeastern parts of the US and southern Canada. Luna moths are thought to have tails which are crinkled and do not lie flat because it thwarts the echolocation of bats and permits the moths time to escape when the bats snap at the tails.