It has been a slow start to the season as of this writing. It seemed that hatching moths have been delayed quite a bit than in past years. For example, in 2023 I had wild luna moths coming to my lights in mid-May. This year, the first one appeared late on June 2. This is also with the addition of my overwintering cocoons and scenting females.
Continue reading 2024 Moth Studies in Richmond, Rhode Island (June 3, 2024)When it comes to moths, there are none as spectacular as the giant silk moths, from the family Saturniidae. Despite Rhode Island being such a small state, we actually have five species common to this area. How many have you seen?
Cocoons and pupae I was able to obtain prior to this study were Actias luna, Hyalophora cecropia, Antheraea polyphemus, Samia cynthia and Citheronia regalis. On the last two species, I did not have high hopes of drawing in males attracted to hatched gravid females, but thought that perhaps, living so close to Connecticut, that I may be pleasantly surprised.
When it comes to insects, butterflies and moths have always been my favorite type. Nothing beats a warm summer day sitting outside, watching butterflies visit your flowers. As much as I enjoy this though, it is the giant silk moths that fly at night that I am passionate about the most.
Continue reading PROJECT SUMMER NIGHT LIGHT: Night-time Insects to Ooooh and Aaaah At!
The Luna Moth (Actias luna) is one of the most spectacular of the giant Saturniid moths from the United States. With its green colors and long delicate tails, it is breathtaking to see live and in person, especially for the first time! According to the amazing book “The Wild Silk Moths of North America: A Natural History of the Saturniidae of the United States and Canada” by Paul M. Tuskes, James P. Tuttle and Michael M. Collins, this species can be found throughout most of the eastern part of North America. There are two seasonal forms, with those hatching in the spring being a more intense green in color whereas those hatching in the summer tend to be more yellowish. The spring forms also have a more vibrant purple outer wing margin. I have found them very easy to rear on both walnut and sweetgum, with the only real issues being overcrowding which tends to attract yellow jackets and birds, who love to eat the caterpillars, especially when using net bags on the branches of trees.
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