Luna moths are large, with wingspans of about 4 inches. Their wings are pale green, yellowish green or bluish green, with transparent eyespots, which are adaptations to confuse predators. Some luna moths can show pink and yellow outer margins in their wings. They have hind wings with curving tails and bushy antennae. Males have larger and bushier antennae in comparison with females.
Like other insects, the luna moth undergoes metamorphosis during its life cycle. After mating, females can lay as many as 200 eggs. After seven to 10 days, the eggs hatch and the caterpillars star to eat the leaves of the host plant. During the larval life stage, caterpillars molt their skins five times in three to four weeks. When about 2 inches long, the caterpillars starts to produce the cocoon, beginning the third stage of their life cycle: the pupa. The luna moth stays in is cocoon for two to three weeks, emerging when spring arrives.
The female luna moth produces chemical substances, called pheromones, to attract males. Luna moths often mate during the night, when they are more active. The female can lay the eggs during various nights, on the leaves of several plant species, including white birch, persimmon, sweet gum, hickories, walnuts and sumac. In the southern states, the luna moth can produce three generation per year.
The luna moths is not a threatened species. However, like other wild silk moths, luna moth population numbers have declined since the 1960s. Loss of habitat and increased use of bright lights that disrupt mating are the main reasons for declining populations. During their adult and larval life stages, luna moths play an important role in the food chain as a part of the diet of several bird species.