Have You Seen One?
Issues contributing to luna moth rarity:
◦Habitat degradation and fragmentation
◦Light pollution in areas of human habitation can disrupt mating behavior and has a negative impact on their populations – the adult moths are strongly attracted to light
◦Pesticide accumulation in the environment
◦The European fly Compsilura concinnata, a parasite deliberately introduced to the USA throughout much of the 20th century as a biological control for non-native, invasive gypsy moths, can parasitize more than 150 species of butterflies and moths in North America, crippling and killing non-target species
I was thrilled to find this luna moth, one of two I saw here today!
State Parks are great!
The best of our 848 captures are in a mini-themed album:
• Outing to Oconee State Park, SC – 2021APR13
◦ Moody Spring – 2021APR13 – SC Highway 107
◦ Oconee State Park – 2021APR13 – Mountain Rest, SC
◦ Wigington Overlook – 2021APR13 – SC Highway 413
Hope you enjoy 35% of these 155 luna captures I took today!
Have You Seen One?
Issues contributing to luna moth rarity:
◦Habitat degradation and fragmentation
◦Light pollution in areas of human habitation can disrupt mating behavior and has a negative impact on their populations – the adult moths are strongly attracted to light
◦Pesticide accumulation in the environment
◦The European fly Compsilura concinnata, a parasite deliberately introduced to the USA throughout much of the 20th century as a biological control for non-native, invasive gypsy moths, can parasitize more than 150 species of butterflies and moths in North America, crippling and killing non-target species
I was thrilled to find this luna moth, one of two I saw here today!
State Parks are great!
The best of our 848 captures are in a mini-themed album:
• Outing to Oconee State Park, SC – 2021APR13
◦ Moody Spring – 2021APR13 – SC Highway 107
◦ Oconee State Park – 2021APR13 – Mountain Rest, SC
◦ Wigington Overlook – 2021APR13 – SC Highway 413
Hope you enjoy 35% of these 155 luna captures I took today!