July 2022 Bug Box (The Luna Moth)

Did you miss the Luna Moth themed Bug Box? A few more Deluxe boxes are available now, featuring:

• life-size northern female Luna Moth pin
• wearable glow-in-the-dark male moth pin
• glow-in-the-dark female vinyl sticker
• flying male sticker sheet
• female moth iron-on patch
• a magnetic fact card
• a blacklight (UV) flashlight for finding caterpillars, attracting moths, and charging your glow-in-the-dark items

One of North America's most stunning insects, the luna moth is common but rarely seen. Its nocturnal nature and habit of dwelling high up in the forest gives it a mysterious and almost-mythical reputation.

A female lays hundreds of eggs on favorite host trees like hickory, sweetgum, walnut, and birch. Once hatched, a luna moth caterpillar remains on the same tree and eats continually. To defend themselves, they can make clicking sounds and regurgitate to alarm and deter potential predators.

Like other Saturnidae, pupae cocoon themselves in leaves bound with silk, and rely on leaf litter to stay hidden on the forest floor. Adults do not feed, but live for about a week and spend it searching for a mate. Males can find a pheremone-releasing female from miles away, and make the journey to continue the cycle with her.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Bug Box in the future, so you never miss out.