Sunday, February 13, 2011

Cecropia and Lunar Moths of the Vermilon River. A Post to Scenic Sunday.

Cecropia Moth likely male.


Tired of birds and scenery for the moment, here's something a little different.


The Cecropia Moth is our largest native moth. I said male because the antennae on this fellow are larger, and purposely so to detect female pheromones to facilitate breeding.The moth has only one full generation per year.


Luna Moth

A large but not as large as the cecropia the Luna Moth may have a wing span up to 4.5 inches. It is resident in Canada from Manitoba to the Maritimes and in the US from the great plains east, and south to northern Mexico. They also produce only one generation per year, except in New Jersey and  New York where they produce two. They have no mouth as the adult stage is for breeding only.


For further Information see http://en.wikipedia.org/Hyalophora_cecropia and see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actias_luna

A post to Scenic Sunday. For more sites go to http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/

32 comments:

  1. Oh, I can't wait until we actually have a chance to see them again.

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  2. I've seen a cercropia moth once and what a beauty, but that was before the days of digital cameras. Hoping to see some in the upcoming season.

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  3. Great shots! The large moths like these always seem to me to be more than just insects somehow... the size/mass of them and their "fuzziness" almost gives them a vertebrate feel!

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  4. Great shots! Never seen a Luna Moth up close, in person!

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  5. Nice captures, I rarely see moths and even butterflys see less common than when I was a child.

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  6. Beautiful images Gary. Digital photography can lead you off in so many different directions. I read up on all I see and am still amazed that I can read,view and learn so much via the internet. 55 next saturday and wondering what my life would have been like if I was 30 years younger.

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  7. What a beauty, I've never seen one.

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  8. We have the Luna's moths here in GA but I haven't seen the Cecropia. Great change-up Gary!

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  9. I don't know why but whenever I see moth, I have horrible goosebumps on my arms. But the funny part is I cannot help staring at them since they are beautiful!

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  10. Wow how funny, big and strange these moths are! I had never seen something similar! Wow, pretty cool and interesting! Thanks!

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  11. I've never seen the Cecropia Moth, but I have seen it in it's caterpillar form and it is the most amazing!!!

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  12. So cool! I havne't seen the first one before, but I've seen a few Lunas. and I love 'em! They are gorgeous, hands down.

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  13. Hi Louise. There's a blizzard here today so I'd sure love to see them again.

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  14. Hi John S. Glad you enjoyed them.

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  15. Hi Lorac. It's the size of these guys and their colours

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  16. That's too bad Martha Z. I hope you see some this year.

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  17. Boom and I love our rambles too Andrew. At 55 you're just a kid.

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  18. Hi Bob. Now you're going to have to look for butterflies or moths to post.

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  19. Hi Yoshi. They don't seem to have the "good" reputation of the butterfly do they.

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  20. Hi Chris. Good to see you up and around, and you're right they're memorable.

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  21. Hi Kahooly and the caterpiller is even stranger looking isn't it?

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  22. Hi Johnny. I have not seen very many of them either.

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  23. Such gorgeous moths! Interesting to learn something about them.

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  24. Hi eileeninmd and thanks for the compliments.

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  25. Hi Mary. They are awesome aren't they?

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  26. Thanks for your photos reminding me of these two beautiful moths. We have both, but the luna is much more common. (BTW: Down here in the southern US, luna moths usually produce three generations per year from March to September. BugGuide)

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  27. Hi eileeninmd. Beauties aren't they?

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  28. Hi Mary. They're an interesting species.

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  29. Hi Marvin. That must mean they've adapted to the region then. Interesting . Thanks for the info.

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