Pest profile

Luna Moth

Actias luna · Lepidoptera: Saturniidae[2]

The luna moth's pale green wings and long tails make it one of North America's most recognizable moths; it's harmless.[1]

Luna moth, a large pale green moth with long hindwing tails and eyespots, with wings spread
Luna moth, a large pale green moth with long hindwing tails and eyespots, with wings spread. (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Adults have a 3 to 4-1/8 inch wingspan, green wings with eyespots and a long tail on each hind wing.[1]
  • Full-grown caterpillars are bright green, 2-1/8 to 2-3/4 inches long, with a yellowish-white side line.[1]

Where it lives

It lives in forests from Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan and in every eastern U.S. state from Maine to Florida, west to eastern Texas and North Dakota.[1]

US map: public records from 36 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

There's one generation a year from Michigan north and two or more farther south.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Luna caterpillars are never common enough to cause significant damage to their host trees.[1]

Health risk

It's harmless to people.[1]

Control

Prevention

No control is needed; caterpillars never cause significant damage.[1]

Common questions

What is the big green moth with long tails?
A luna moth.[1]
Do luna caterpillars damage trees?
No; they're never common enough to cause significant damage.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Luna Moth, Actias luna (EENY-411).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN737 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Actias luna taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/47916 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.