Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Harmful Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
Lunar Thorn

Lunar Thorn

Selenia lunularia

A species of Selenia

With a peculiar wing pattern that mirrors the crescent shapes found in the nocturnal sky, lunar Thorn embarks on a life journey marked by a striking metamorphosis. Caterpillars feast on deciduous foliage before undergoing a dramatic transformation, emerging as adults with an uncanny ability to blend with tree barks, a testament to their impressive mimicry skills for survival.

General Info About Lunar Thorn
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Lunar Thorn
Colors
Brown
Black
Red
Gray
White
Habitat
Park; warm sunny hillside; deciduous forest
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Siphoning mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Life Cycle of Lunar Thorn
Egg Newly laid eggs of the lunar Thorn are usually oval and tiny. The color can vary but they blend with the environment. It's a dormant phase, but inside, the insect is developing the rudimentary structures to advance to the next stage.
Larva As larvae, lunar Thorn are primarily focused on feeding and growth. They undergo multiple molts, significantly increasing in size with each stage. The coloration often changes to better match their environment, aiding in camouflage.
Pupal Encased in a pupa, lunar Thorn undergoes transformation where body structures are completely reorganized. The pupa may attach to foliage and camouflages well. During this time, wings and adult appendages form, hidden from view.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult lunar Thorn’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
Rectangle
Predators of Lunar Thorn Larvae
Birds, rodents, reptiles, spiders, insectivorous insects
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Lunar Thorn
Bats, birds, rodents, spiders
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About Lunar Thorn
Lunar Thorn have the unique ability to camouflage by mimicking twigs or branches, aiding in their remarkable stealth from predators.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Lunar Thorn
Tips for Finding Lunar Thorn
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Lunar Thorn
Forests and Woodlands
Rectangle
Adult Habitat of Lunar Thorn
Forests and Woodlands
Rectangle
How Can You Attract Lunar Thorn
Since lunar Thorn is a moth, light traps or bait made from fermenting fruit or sugary mixtures can be used to attract them, depending on the behavior of the specific family and genus.
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of Lunar Thorn Through Different Life Stages
Locating the growth stages of lunar Thorn requires a keen eye and patience. Eggs are typically found on the underside of leaves of the host plant. As they hatch, caterpillars might be spotted on the leaves or stems, where they feed and camouflage perfectly with the foliage. Pupae blend into the bark of trees or rest among leaf litter. Adults prefer wooded areas, laying eggs there, closing the life cycle. To find them, searching appropriate habitats during each stage’s active period is essential, such as examining leaf undersides for eggs or caterpillars during the day, and looking for adults at dusk when they are most active.
Rectangle
When is the Best Time to Observe Lunar Thorn
The best time to find adult lunar Thorn is usually at night when they are most active, while caterpillar stages may be observed during the day in their respective habitats.
Rectangle
What is the Best Weather to Observe Lunar Thorn
Calm, warm, and humid nights are typically the most suitable weather conditions for observing or trapping adult lunar Thorn, whereas caterpillar stages might be less affected by weather conditions.
Are Lunar Thorn harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Harmful Effects of Lunar Thorn
Reveal the harmful impacts of diverse insects
Explore the dangers of insects related to toxicity, lethality, human biting, human stinging, pathogenicity, hematophagy, allergenicity, parasitism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Hurt Plant

Larvae of lunar Thorn feed on foliage, causing defoliation that ranges from mild to severe. This may lead to stunted growth, reduced photosynthesis, and vulnerability to secondary pests and diseases.

More Effects of Lunar Thorn

Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
More Insects that are Similar to Lunar Thorn
Blackberry looper
Blackberry looper

The wingspan is 1.4 - 2.5 cm.

Read More
Arrow
Thin-lined chlorochlamys moth
Thin-lined chlorochlamys moth

Chlorochlamys phyllinaria, the thin-lined chlorochlamys moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Georgia to California, northward in the central states to Nebraska. The length of the forewings is 6–9 mm for males and 7–10.5 mm for females. The forewings are usually olive green, but sometimes tan or reddish brown. There are thin whitish or yellowish lines. The hindwings are similar, but always without an antemedial line. Adults are usually on wing from June to September, but from March to November in the south-west.

Read More
Arrow
Dichorda illustraria
Dichorda illustraria

Dichorda illustraria is a butterfly from the family of the spanners (Geometridae). The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1886 by Hulst.

Read More
Arrow
Showy emerald moth
Showy emerald moth

Dichorda iridaria, the showy emerald moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1857. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Quebec, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. The wingspan is about 25–28 mm. The larvae feed on Rhus species, including Rhus typhina and Rhus copallina. and Toxicodendron radicans.

Read More
Arrow
Bent-line gray
Bent-line gray

Iridopsis larvaria is a butterfly from the family of spanners (Geometridae). The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1858 by Guenée.

Read More
Arrow
Large purplish gray moth
Large purplish gray moth

Iridopsis vellivolata, the large purplish gray, is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae. It is found in North America. The MONA or Hodges number for Iridopsis vellivolata is 6582.

Read More
Arrow
Western carpet
Western carpet

The wingspan is 3.5 - 4 cm.

Read More
Arrow
Canadian melanolophia
Canadian melanolophia

The wingspan is 3 - 3.5 cm. Adults have dark brown or brown mottled wings.

Read More
Arrow
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow