luna moth

or Luna moth

noun

1. a large, pale-green, American moth, Actias luna, having purple-brown markings, lunate spots, and long tails.

luna moth

noun

1. a large American saturniid moth, Tropaea (or Actias ) luna, having light green wings with a yellow crescent-shaped marking on each forewing

Word History and Origins

Origin of luna moth¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Word History and Origins

Origin of luna moth¹

C19: so named from the markings on its wings