Luna moth larvae prefer to feed on hickory trees but can be found on other trees in our area such as willow, maple, sweet gum, persimmon, and beech. The caterpillar is very large with green coloration and a thin lateral yellow stripe. Its surface is smooth except for small reddish orange knobs called tubercles and occasional small hairs. The head may be green or brown in color.
Silk moth larvae go through instars as do butterflies and following their last instar (their fifth) they spin an egg shaped cocoon made up of silk with leaves of the host plant which are attached at random. In the fall when the host plant drops its leaves the cocoon also drops to the ground. Metamorphosis is generally complete within a matter of weeks unless the cocoon was constructed late in the season where it will then over-winter and the adult moth will emerge in the spring.
Florida’s climate supports as many as four broods per year.