can anyone identify this insect

**Reca** · 08-20-10, 02:17 PM

**Five-0** · 08-20-10, 02:21 PM

Luna moth

Actias luna (Linnaeus, 1758)

Had to collect insects, indentify, and display them in 9th grade biology class. That one usuall went at the top of everyone's display.

http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=3292

**Reca** · 08-20-10, 02:28 PM

Lol I knew someone here would know. I have never seen one and it has been on my moms window for hours.

**Ducky** · 08-20-10, 02:30 PM

Five-0 got it right, it's a standard luna moth, one of the giant moths in the same family as silkworm moths.

Very pretty and impressive looking but as harmless as they come. They can't even eat at that stage, they live for two weeks once out of the cocoon and try and find a mate, then drop dead. If you can get a close look at those eye spots on the wings, you'll see they're almost clear.

**MacLean** · 08-20-10, 10:37 PM

Wow, never seen one of those and we have some giant oddball moths.

**Five-0** · 08-20-10, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by MacLean

Wow, never seen one of those and we have some giant oddball moths.

This is probably why:

**jmur5074** · 08-21-10, 12:33 AM

I never knew so many people here were so knowledgeable about moths.

**MacLean** · 08-21-10, 02:01 AM

There are people here that know shit about all kinds of shit, that's why I love it!

**Ducky** · 08-21-10, 06:28 AM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

I never knew so many people here were so knowledgeable about moths.

Some of us work in one place, at night, and have bright lights that attract all kinds of weird shit. And then there's the bugs that show up.

**IMGreat101** · 08-21-10, 09:12 AM

I caught one of these. They lay eggs on the stems and the larvae bore into the plant, eating it's way to the base of the plant. A seemingly healthy plant will be lying on the ground in the morning. Grab the base of the plant, split it open to see the little buggers squirming. Kill them all and stop the cycle. We have lost many squash/zucchini and an entire bed of Iris to these.

And no, I did not eat that bug.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCts_tGx4eY]YouTube - The Clear Wing Humming Bird Moth[/ame]

**Buttercup** · 08-21-10, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by MacLean

There are people here that know shit about all kinds of shit, that's why I love it!

That's right, and me too!!

**Five-0** · 08-21-10, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by IMGreat101

I caught one of these. They lay eggs on the stems and the larvae bore into the plant, eating it's way to the base of the plant. A seemingly healthy plant will be lying on the ground in the morning. Grab the base of the plant, split it open to see the little buggers squirming. Kill them all and stop the cycle. We have lost many squash/zucchini and an entire bed of Iris to these.

That is pretty bad, but it could be worse. One of the spiders in this video will break into your house, jack your $hit, and shank your ass too:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHzdsFiBbFc]YouTube - Spiders On Drugs[/ame]

**Buttercup** · 08-21-10, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Five-0

That is pretty bad, but it could be worse. One of the spiders in this video will break into your house, jack your $hit, and shank your ass too:

YouTube - Spiders On Drugs

Hahahaha!!!