As a naturalist and wildlife photographer, I have a bucket list of wildlife subjects I want, no. need to photograph before I fade away. I think we all do. So finally, after many years (most of my life), I got to check this Luna moth off my bucket list today. A wild moth photographed in the wild. The first one I have ever seen in the wild and got to photograph as well. This is a female and she was newly eclosed when my wife spotted her. When her wings dry, she will not fly, but stay right where she is and start releasing pheromones to attract a male. After the male mates with her, he will try to find other females to mate with. He does not eat or drink but lives off the fat stored as a caterpillar. The female will then take flight to lay 600-700 eggs in various host plants. Both live for about a week.
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