Hip-Hess The Luna Moth

Jacob came home from work yesterday evening with a little surprise for the boys.  As most of you know Logan loves bugs and animals.  He spends most of his time outside looking for bugs and/or trying to chase butterflies, dragonflies, etc.  Jacob walked through the door with a box that had holes in the lid.  He said, "Come here guys, I have something to show you."  He took the lid off and inside the box was a large Luna Moth.  The boys thought it was really cool.  Logan smiled his little smile and said, "Wow!" Jacob explained to the boys that Luna Moths are one of the largest moths in America and have a wing span up to almost 4.5 inches. Alex said, "Yeah, he's big!"  We did a little research and learned that the adult Luna Moth only lives for one week.  They have no mouths and do not eat.  Their sole purpose is to mate.  Jacob told the boys that they have a certain amount of energy, like a battery, and once the energy is used up they die.  This, of course, made Logan a little sad for a brief moment.  His sadness for the Luna Moth was quickly replaced by giggling as the Luna Moth began to flap it's wings and jump around in the box.  Logan names every bug he finds--He told us that this moth's name was Hip-Hess.  The boys watched the moth for a little while and then Jacob said, "Do you want to help me take it outside and release it so it can find it's mommy?"  The boys both thought that was a good idea.  They went outside and released it--the boys watched the moth fly around (low to the ground) and eventually land near the air conditioner.  Logan said, "Bye, Hip-Hess!"  This morning he came up to me and said, "Hip-Hess jumped around in the box and tried to bite me.  I will miss that little guy."

                Jacob opened the box and the Luna Moth was on the lid

The Luna Moth started jumping around in the box and flapping it's wings.  Logan jumped each time this happened--then the boys giggled.

The boys watching the Luna Moth.  Jacob was telling them about the markings on it's wings that look like eyes. They were very interested in the moth.