Luna Moth and Other Creatures

‘Tis the year for unusual sightings.

Luna Moth

I saw a Luna Moth at a friend’s house the other afternoon. We noticed lively fluttering and followed it until it landed on the house and snapped a photo.

I looked up information on the Luna Moth and found that it’s not too common to see them during their brief, (one week) adult lives. I learned the adults do not eat or have mouths. They emerge as adults solely to mate and are more commonly seen at night. Interesting. They are lime-green and have a wing span of about 4-5 inches long and are very beautiful.

Last week we drove through two swarms of mayflies on one stretch of highway and they hit the vehicle like a slap in the face. We haven’t experienced mayflies for a few years now.

And then this…I can’t identify it but it is unusual and hanging under our deck and I’ve never seen it before.

Unidentified winged creature feeding on something under our deck.
Honeysuckle flower to give size perspective…

It’s also been an unusual year as we haven’t had too many mosquitoes bothering us. I’m not sure why, but I like it. We been able to be outside, sit on our deck in the evening, or garden, and not be bothered by them. I suppose there still is a chance they’ll present themselves this summer but we’re enjoying the respite.

Which reminds me…in Europe there are no bugs… that come inside anyways..I don’t get that either. There are no screens on the windows or doors. You leave the window (or door) open for air all day – and all night – and no bugs come into the house.

B&B in Willemdorf, Austria

It’s fascinating, really.

10 thoughts on “Luna Moth and Other Creatures”

  1. I sure enjoyed learning about the Luna Moth but when I saw the insect under your deck, I decided I would like to live in Europe (or Oregon – Fred says there aren’t any bugs there either). I agree Valerie, what you share with me is always so fascinating. 🤗

  2. Valerie, I love how you have such an eye for nature. You find such beauty in what sits right outside in your world. Thanks for sharing, always! Oh, and I finished my story!

  3. Rick says it is a cicada which hatches every 18 years so that might be why you never seen it before.

  4. No bugs. Take me there.

    My brother-in-law from Missouri was just telling me this morning how the Japanese beetles have devastated the landscape there. Hoards and hoards of them are stripping trees, flowers, plants…

    1. Ugh…I hate to think of the destruction the beetles have caused. I don’t understand that, nor do I understand why in Europe you can leave windows open without screens.

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