Death in the Pines

Luna Moths are quite beautiful and in the adult stage live for one and one thing only: to make more Luna Moths.

To that end they are simply sex machines. They have no mouth parts and no digestive system.

And live for but a single week.

This year we seen a number in the yard; I've caught (and released) three. No breeding project this year.

But I've also found the remains of two in the yard this past week.

Eventually the food reserves built up by the caterpillar are exhausted. And the moth settles to the ground. One final landing.

The body, a tasty morel for some other yard critter. The wings a transient reminder of what was.