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Mayday.. Mayday.. I'm hit! &quot;The Indian Moon Moth&quot; AKA &quot;Indian Luna Moth&quot; (Actias Selene) - Spotted this Moth way back in the year 2008, in Madikeri, Coorg, Karnataka. This was the first time I spotted a Moth, but did not know it was a Moth, and I thought it was a Butterfly instead (Image from my archives).<br /> <br /> Specialty of this Moth:<br /> Indian Luna Moth is the Moth with the most sensitive sense of smell. The male of this species is so sensitive to the female&#039;s sex pheromone, that he can trace a female via her scent from as far away as 6 1/2 miles (11 km). Quite a fun loving Moth, I suppose ;) Actias selene,Geotagged,India,Indian Luna Moth,Indian Moon Moth,green,sensitive,wings Click/tap to enlarge PromotedSpecies introCountry intro

Mayday.. Mayday.. I'm hit!

"The Indian Moon Moth" AKA "Indian Luna Moth" (Actias Selene) - Spotted this Moth way back in the year 2008, in Madikeri, Coorg, Karnataka. This was the first time I spotted a Moth, but did not know it was a Moth, and I thought it was a Butterfly instead (Image from my archives).

Specialty of this Moth:
Indian Luna Moth is the Moth with the most sensitive sense of smell. The male of this species is so sensitive to the female's sex pheromone, that he can trace a female via her scent from as far away as 6 1/2 miles (11 km). Quite a fun loving Moth, I suppose ;)

    comments (4)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Superb species intro! Check out its awesome family:
    http://www.jungledragon.com/wildlife/browse/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/saturniidae

    It's a pity that such creatures only live for a few days. Some don't even have a mouth to feed. I guess it explains why it is so good in finding a mate, it has no time to lose.     Posted 10 years ago
    1. View Avinash Krishnamurthy's profile
      Avinash Krishnamurthy
      Musk Oxen
      View Musk Oxen class
      I agree! That is a pity. I probably have only seen that Moth species a couple of times so far. May be it has to do with them coming out only at night, or may be their numbers have declined lately (not surprising). If I were given only a few days to live, I would probably do the same thing too. I'm no different. Lol

      Beautiful Moth species in that link you have shared, Ferdy.. Thanks :)       Posted 10 years ago, modified 10 years ago
      1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
        Ferdy Christant
        Lion
        View Lion class
        You're welcome. Be careful with this one in the list though...

        http://www.jungledragon.com/specie/135/giant_silkworm_moth.html

        ...it is nicknamed the "assassin caterpillar", killing a few people each year. I only found out after returning home.         Posted 10 years ago
        1. View Avinash Krishnamurthy's profile
          Avinash Krishnamurthy
          Musk Oxen
          View Musk Oxen class
          Damn! I'm glad I don't have to worry about that Caterpillar here in India.. Good to know the information though!! Posted 10 years ago

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The Indian Moon Moth

The Indian Moon Moth or Indian Luna Moth is a species of Saturniid moth from Asia. This species is popular among amateur entomologists and is often reared from eggs or cocoons that are available from commercial sources. They are also known to fly mainly at night.

Info 2 0
Similar species: Moths And Butterflies
Species identified by Avinash Krishnamurthy
View Avinash Krishnamurthy's profile

By Avinash Krishnamurthy

All rights reserved
Uploaded Sep 10, 2014. Captured Oct 12, 2008 07:36 in State Highway 88, Stuart Hill, Madikeri, Karnataka 571201, India.
country flag of India Explore India 5,169 1,362 0
  • DSC-T20
  • f/3.5
  • 1/200s
  • ISO100
  • 6.33mm
Captured in the fall. More fall photos.