Moon Moth is the common name given to various species of the Saturniid Silk moths. These include the largest species of moth - the Atlas Moth - as well as the Emperor Gum Moth, the Imperial Moth and the Madagascar Comet Moth, all of which have already been featured. Therefore its additional here is almost redundant, but I felt I needed to have at least one moth species for M - and this one gives me alliteration as well. However, of all the moth species, the Moon Moths are the most spectacular, closely followed by the hawkmoths - of which I've only draw two so far - and the Wasp Moths, which I am totally looking forwarrd to drawing (polka-dot wasp moth, here we come!).
Of course, I should have gone Malaysian Moon Moth for the full effect, but I chose instead to draw this colourful speciman, the Spanish Moon Moth. Her larvae feed on a diet of pine needles, and have very specific eating requirements, being reluctant to dine on the leaves of non-native Pinus trees. The Moth typically spends 6 weeks in caterpillar form, before pupating under leaves. Here she remains over the winter months, emerging with the spring to mate, lay her eggs and then die because, as I am sure you already know, adult Moon Moths cannot feed.
I'm just surprised I skipped the Luna Moth.
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