Luna Moth (Actias Luna)
It has been said that we're the most beautiful moth on the American continent. I'm known for the stunning long tails on my hind wings, and although you may see many pictures of me (as for all super models), I am a real surprise when found in my natural habitat.
The male of my species has much to cram into life because he only has about one week to live. In which time he has to eat a lot and mate. Then 100-300 eggs are laid by the female. They hatch and hey presto caterpillars! They mooch about eating and eating and eating until they are quite fat little caterpillars, then they make a cocoon and after a few weeks inside the cocoon, out breaks another super model of the moth world.
Like so many super models I like to have a cause to speak for, and mine is to highlight the plight of many species of moths and butterflies. As a consequence of global threats, such as pollution, the use of herbicides and pesticides and the destruction of our habitats, the survival of many of my kind is now in doubt.
What can you do to help? Going organic is a great start, like buying a wonderful Animal Tails organic T-shirt. The cotton was grown without the use of herbicides and pesticides which kill off so many of my kind. You can also grow a few wild flowers in your garden and allow parts of it to become a little wilderness; we just love those sorts of places.
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